Patriot flag drive to be held Saturday

Patriots who want to show support for the United States, the military and law enforcement are invited to attach a U.S. flag to their vehicle and join an Old Glory Flag Run on Saturday.

The run participants will begin lining up at 11 a.m. at the Black River Coliseum, 301 S. Fifth St., with the group leaving around noon to travel to Cape Girardeau.

The event is the brainchild of Tabitha Gregory Parsons, who along with her husband, Matt Parsons, are event hosts.

“Seeing all the negativity in the news was weighing heavy on my heart,” Tabitha said. “There is so much to love about our country. My father Richard Lee Gregory was in the Air Force and served in Vietnam. Our veterans and even our police who protect us and keep us safe deserve to know there are people who appreciate them.”

The Parsons also are military parents. Their son Brandon Parson, 20, is a soldier serving with the U.S. Army in Baumholder, Germany.

Everyone is invited to the “flag run to show our love and support for our country,” Tabitha said.

“We will be traveling Highway 60 from Poplar Bluff and taking I-55 north to Cape Girardeau,” Tabitha said. “We ask all flags be secured to vehicles, obey all laws, drive single file, no drama. Please invite your fellow patriotic family and friends.

“There is no particular stopping point in Cape, everyone will disperse and enjoy your day. All law enforcement agencies will be contacted so they are aware of the flag run and if anything changes, we will post it. We hope to have a huge line of people.”

“I’m very excited and I’m happy to have all the people reach out to get flyers and to help me get the word out,” she said. “It’s really nice to see fellow friends, make new friends and see our fellow neighbors in our community and surrounding area jump in to help and to want to be a part of this. We’ve not set the exact route yet, but I’m hopeful if this grows as large as we are thinking, and if we can get some traffic control from our local police. I’d like to drive by our local VA hospital with our flags to show our appreciation.”

Thinking of her own family, Tabitha said, Brandon graduated high school in May 2019 and left for basic training June 3. He has been in Germany since October 2019 and possibly has two years left to serve before returning to the states.

“Brandon has always talked about serving since he was a young child,” she said. “Right now, he is exploring sights around Europe with his battle buddy from basic training, working on obtaining a business degree and has his sights set on ranking up to sergeant. As for what the future holds, he’s not 100% sure, but airborne and retirement with the Army are both two topics he’s been giving some thought lately. Brandon currently has five years left as active and will follow up with two years in reserves with this enlistment, unless he decides to re-enlist.”

Tabitha thinks “that’s a big possibility as Brandon has excelled and is thriving well with military life. “

Tabitha is a supervisor with Gamma Healthcare.

“I’ve been there 10 years,” she said. “My husband is a truck driver for XPO Logistics and he’s been there seven years. Both of us are pretty busy with work, and our youngest son is soon to be 16 years old. He is considering a military career as well and has been considering learning more about the Air Force.”

While there are no sponsors, the Parsons have started a Facebook event page, Old Glory Flag Drive, and “we’ve contacted our local police and sheriff’s departments so they are aware in case of traffic issues and escorts needed,” she said.

“There is no fee to participate. Anyone who loves America with a car, van, truck, bike, bus, whatever they drive is welcome. I was told our local active duty Marines are coming and patriots from as far as St. Louis. I’ve had people reach out to me and are helping put flyers out from Doniphan all the way over to Qulin.”