Marion, Virginia… the one and only.

​Every year for Memorial Day weekend, Letters From Home has had the privilege of calling Marion, Virginia our second home. 

Memorial Day Flags (Photo by Zimbro Photography)

We were performing at the National Convention for the VFW in San Antonio, Texas in 2011 when we met Turk Johnson, the commander of the Marion VFW and his lovely wife Penny. When they invited us to perform in their home town, we had no idea just what we were in for!
 
The town of Marion is one of the most patriotic towns I have encountered along our many travels. The mayor, David Helms is a one-of-a-kind character who truly cares about the people in the town, knows them all by name and actively gets everyone involved for a better community. After our first show at their beautiful Lincoln Theatre so many years ago, the mayor presented us with the keys to the city…. Though the door has always been open to anyone who wishes to venture into Marion, and we’ve never needed a key. :)  We have enjoyed the warmth of people everywhere in the town, including the world-famous Dip Dogs, the lovely Frances Marion hotel downtown, and the beautiful Hungry Mother park.

With Ken and David, the mayor of Marion at the Memorial Day service. (Photo- Zimbro Photography Studios)

This year’s trip to Marion was particularly special, as we arrived in the early afternoon Saturday to do a small show for their nursing home. Though I am grateful that we have had the privilege of performing at several large and seemingly impressive venues lately, my favorite performances are always the small, intimate shows at retirement and nursing homes where there are veterans and residents who can rarely get out to see live entertainment. The smiles on their faces as a memory comes back or a song gets into their heart is more rewarding than any large audience ever will be, and I truly have the best seat in the house as their eyes twinkle and they start tapping their toes and singing along. 

Outside the beautiful Lincoln Theatre (Photo credit Zimbro Photography Studios)

The Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is always a highlight as well, as we do a big performance in the beautiful Lincoln Theatre. This historic theatre that was built in 1929, and almost every movie star of the generation has performed at that theatre… including Roy Rogers who rode his host and co-star Trigger onto the stage! The theatre is now where the television show The Song of the Mountainis filmed, and it’s architecture is truly stunning. During the show this year, I had a few of my Spring Theatre kids join me onstage tap dancing, and it was a amazing special feeling to perform alongside these young professionals who I taught and directed for years as they were growing up. For the Memorial Day show, Nelson also rendered a version of “Just A Common Soldier” before I sang Taps, and of course there were plenty of jokes and tap dancing to go around. A truly fun afternoon at the theatre with a special veteran-filled audience. 

Nelson and I onstage during the vocal version of "Taps" (Photo Zimbro Photography)

Many friends from Winston-Salem make the drive each year to Marion now, and it has been wonderful to see two of our “families” combine and become an even larger family. 

Our Winston-Salem family in the beautiful city of Marion after the show (Photo credit- Blue Ridge Custom Photography)

On Memorial Day itself, we are honored to each year play a large role in the beautiful Marion parade, riding alongside WWII Veterans on a float down Main Street. Our first year in the parade, there were almost 15 veterans on the float, and this year we were down to 5 special guys who served in WWII. I treasure every moment with these heroes. The parade is a beautiful balance of celebrating patriotism while remembering those who are no longer with us. 

With the Gold Star families before the Memorial Day parade (Photo credit Zimbro Photography)

After the parade at the VFW, everyone in the town is invited for a free lunch and a meaningful Memorial Day service. It is a true humbling honor to be a part of this service.

At the Memorial Day Service (Photo Credit- Zimbro Photography Studios)

But, the thing that truly makes Marion different than any other town is their crosses that they put up for Memorial Day each year. These crosses carry the names of veterans who have passed away that are either from Marion, or have had a connection to the town in some way. Each year more and more flags are added, this year there were over 70 names and flags added to the grounds. The light of my life, my daddy, was honored with one of these flags. Since his passing in 2015, each year when I visit his flag, I feel like he’s become a part of the strong spirit of the town.   –Erinn xoxoxox

In front of daddy's flag (Photo by ZImbro Photography)