623 Broad St Gadsden, AL 35901
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2024 Season of Honor – Frank Towers Day
This fall in Etowah County, Alabama from October 6 through November 6, Greater Gadsden Area Tourism in a collaboration with Gadsden-Etowah Patriots Association is promoting four veteran friendly events packaged into one name: Season of Honor. “We want to show everyone how much Etowah County cherishes and honors our veterans,” said Tina Morrison, Executive Director for Greater Gadsden Area Tourism.
October 31, 2024, will be proclaimed “Frank Towers Day” in the City of Gadsden, honoring the former local police officer who is considered Alabama's first fatality in World War II. Towers, a chief gunner's mate on the USS Reuben James, was one of 115 people who died when the escort destroyer was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine on October 31, 1941, a little more than five weeks before the U.S. officially entered World War II. With the explosions, Frank Towers was thrown into the icy Atlantic waters. He tried to rescue others but was pulled under when the ship sank. Towers' loss is noted by the East Gadsden Civitan Club with a bronze star placed on the sidewalk on Broad Street at the corner of 3rd Street in Downtown Gadsden. From 11:00am-Noon there will be a short ceremony at “the star” and Craig Scott, Gadsden Public Library Director will portray Mr. Frank Towers and tell his story. This free outside event is open to the public.
The Season of Honor will conclude on November 6, with the free annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Gadsden, following the Gadsden-Etowah Patriots Association's Hall of Honor luncheon at The Venue.
Those who attend all four Season of Honor events can enter to win a free vacation in Gadsden. For more information, visit www.GreaterGadsden.com or call (256) 549-0351.
October 31, 2024, will be proclaimed “Frank Towers Day” in the City of Gadsden, honoring the former local police officer who is considered Alabama's first fatality in World War II. Towers, a chief gunner's mate on the USS Reuben James, was one of 115 people who died when the escort destroyer was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine on October 31, 1941, a little more than five weeks before the U.S. officially entered World War II. With the explosions, Frank Towers was thrown into the icy Atlantic waters. He tried to rescue others but was pulled under when the ship sank. Towers' loss is noted by the East Gadsden Civitan Club with a bronze star placed on the sidewalk on Broad Street at the corner of 3rd Street in Downtown Gadsden. From 11:00am-Noon there will be a short ceremony at “the star” and Craig Scott, Gadsden Public Library Director will portray Mr. Frank Towers and tell his story. This free outside event is open to the public.
The Season of Honor will conclude on November 6, with the free annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Gadsden, following the Gadsden-Etowah Patriots Association's Hall of Honor luncheon at The Venue.
Those who attend all four Season of Honor events can enter to win a free vacation in Gadsden. For more information, visit www.GreaterGadsden.com or call (256) 549-0351.