2024 Season of Honor – Frank Towers Day

October 31, 2024, at 11 am at 3rd and Broad St in Downtown Gadsden we will celebrate “Frank Towers Day”.  Frank Towers Day will be 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-11:30 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.