Old Soldiers Day

Saluting Our Heroes

Respecting Our History

Old Soldiers Day Celebration

An Alpharetta, Georgia tradition, The Old Soldier Day Celebration, spans the years.

This historical event is held on the 1st Saturday in August, sponsored by American Legion, Post 201. Because of this, present day veterans are privileged to participate in and carry on the heritage established by old soldiers.

Check out our Newsroom for many OSDC articles over the years!

Old Soldiers Day Celebration - What's it About?

Soon after guns were silenced in the War Between the States, Confederate soldiers living in and around old Milton County (now part of Fulton County) wanted to remember their fellowships. They established a time during each year when they could bivouac for several days. The purpose was to respect that fellowship, founded during the tragic time when families became divided over different philosophies. They came by horseback, on foot and by horse and wagon, meeting in a small town called Alpharetta.

Many were bivouacking in Alpharetta

Many were bivouacking (camping without tents) in Alpharetta when the young soldiers of World War I returned home. Our best evidence indicates that during 1920, an elderly Confederate soldier invited these “younguns” to assemble to the rear and parade with them down Alpharetta’s main street.

In 1924, the reunion was abandoned

 

As days past by swiftly, the old soldiers’ physical capabilities lagged far behind their spirit, as did their desire to continue the tradition. In 1924, the reunion was abandoned. Twenty-eight years later on a Sunday afternoon in June, 1952, a group of men gathered. They were vitally concerned with veterans and their loved ones and unanimously agreed that Old Soldiers Day should be more than a memory.

Downtown Alpharetta 1924 (Downtown Alpharetta 1924)

These gentlemen, veterans themselves,  sounded the bugle that would again rededicate the first Saturday in August, as a living memorial to veterans of all wars. This historical significance is why Old Soldiers Day Celebration will always remain personal to all veterans.

Old Soldiers Day Celebration Group (Old Soldiers Day Celebration Group) 

Old Soldiers Day Celebration Goes On!

Since 1952 until recent years, Old Soldiers Day included events such as 8K Runs and Alpharetta’s only annual parade. In addition to the veterans of American Legion Post 201 members, many organizations joined the fun. Rotarians, Shriners, North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (NFCC), Alpharetta Business Association (ABA), Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA), the Boy Scouts of America and more, added their own blend of creativity throughout Alpharetta’s streets.

Old Soldiers Day Celebration The parades came to a screeching halt, thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak. As our town gained back its sense of “normal”, Old Soldiers Day Celebration slowly opened its own doors for camaraderie once again. The celebrations at this time, no longer include a parade. However, as things progress, we’ll be sure to include them on our calendar of events. Stay tuned and keep the memory alive!

 

Thank You For Your Support!

Thank you for your help/donations!

As upcoming events are posted, we are most grateful to those whom support our efforts to keep the recognition of Old Soldiers Day Celebration alive. Please contact
[email protected] if you are interested in donating to our Old Soldiers Day Celebration efforts.

In The News

The “Old Soldiers Day” has been recognized throughout Northern Georgia. Please visit our Post 201 Newsroom page for many associated articles over the years.

Events

Old Soldier Day Events take place the 3rd Saturday in August.  Event details each year will be found on our  Post’s Events Calendar on this link.