ATHENS: Celebrating Veterans Day in Style
Last week, the charming city of Athens brought in some beautiful festivities to celebrate Veterans Day. The spotlight was on the inaugural North Alabama Patriot Trail in Honor of Veterans Celebration, organized by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA). This exciting event was held at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, packed with activities that honored our brave veterans while revealing some fantastic new travel tools for visitors.
A Salute to Heroes
The celebration was nothing short of remarkable, featuring keynote speeches from some very special guests. Major General Janet Cobb, the executive director of the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, and Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin enthralled the audience with their inspiring words. This gathering was not just about celebrating our heroes but also about bringing the community together and sharing stories of valor.
AMLA has a new mission with the launching of the North Alabama Patriot Trail, a self-guided tour spotlighting a variety of significant landmarks across the region that celebrate the courage and commitment of America’s veterans. Picture visiting beautiful memorial parks, engaging museums, and solemn veterans’ memorials—this trail has it all.
Explore with New Travel Tools!
To enhance the visitor experience, AMLA introduced two exciting travel tools aimed at enriching the journey along the Patriot Trail:
- North Alabama Patriot Trail GeoTour Passport: Here’s where things get interesting! This is a fun way to experience the outdoors with family and friends through geocaching—a global treasure hunt using GPS! There are 19 hidden caches throughout North Alabama, guiding you on a patriotic adventure. Just download a passport from this link and dive into the treasure hunt! For those who find 15 of the 19 caches, there’s a special reward waiting in the form of a North Alabama Patriot Trail Geocoin.
- North Alabama Patriot Trail Mobile Pass: This digital passport, available for free via Bandwango, showcases 61 unique patriot sites across the North Alabama Patriot Trail. Just sign up, and voila! You’ll receive a link on your phone to explore these fascinating locations easily. If you check in at 25 spots, a surprise prize from AMLA will be yours!
AMLA President/CEO Tami Reist shared her excitement, saying, “We’re thrilled to provide visitors with tools that make the North Alabama Patriot Trail more accessible.” It sounds like a journey filled with discovery and honor awaits!
Even More Patriotism Ahead
The day was not only about history but also about the present—that’s why veterans and active military from Limestone County were welcomed with open arms. With plans to rotate this admirable celebration to different counties in future years, there’s a sense of continuity in honoring the sacrifices made by our armed forces.
The two-hour program buzzed with excitement, as attendees enjoyed outreach tables from Vets Like Us and the Limestone County Veterans Service Office. There were refreshments to enjoy, video presentations to watch, and patriotic music to uplift spirits throughout the event.
Your Guide to Honor
As part of this initiative, AMLA also released a handy 12-page brochure, which includes a detailed guide to 79 patriotic stops across the northernmost counties of Alabama. This brochure features essential information—addresses, phone numbers, and websites—making it a breeze for anyone planning to visit these incredible locations honoring those who served.
The brochure can be downloaded right from this website, or you can swing by the AMLA office in Decatur to grab a copy in person. You can also request one by calling 800.648.5381.
So, if you’re looking for a meaningful way to connect with North Alabama’s military heritage while celebrating those who’ve given so much, the North Alabama Patriot Trail is your ticket! Grab your family, charge your devices, and experience an adorable slice of history you won’t forget!
