By DRUW GIAMALVA The Reporter

The Pride of Douglas has received an invitation to represent the state of Alabama at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the 80th memorial of the end of WWII. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade takes place every five years and the six-day itinerary will take place in December 2025. The trip will include three public performances by the Pride of Douglas.

December 7, 1941 was a day that would live in infamy and thrust the United States of America into the second World War. Now, over 80 years later, Americans and people from all over the world gather to pay tribute to those whose service and sacrifice preserved freedom and liberty at home and abroad. During the five-year WWII commemoration period, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade will commemorate the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The theme of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade is “remembering our past while celebrating that once bitter enemies can become friends and allies.”  The purpose of the parade is to honor and pay respect to the Pearl Harbor survivors, our veterans, active duty military and their families. The parade takes place each year in Hawaii on December 7th - the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

The Pride of Douglas is seeking support with fundraising and donations from the Marshall County community. Douglas has 100 students eligible for the trip and the cost per student will be $3,000. The initial goal is to raise at least $180,000 to fully fund 60 returning students with a long-term goal of $300,000 to fund current seniors and incoming rookies. All donations will be equally divided among students in each phase of the fundraiser.

All sponsors will be recognized on a sponsor shirt to be worn throughout the trip and school year as well as a large sign to be displayed in the fall of 2025 at the football field for all home football games.