The tradition has continued since the the 1960s and has grown into one of the largest, free Independence Day celebrations in North Alabama. The coveted Audie Murphy Award was created in his honor in 1971 and has been presented annually every since. Past recipients of the award include General Omar Bradley, astronaut John Young, Olympic track star Jesse Owens, Secretary of State Alexander Haig, Vietnam POW Charles Plumb, and Middle East hostage Frank Reed. In 1984 President Ronald Reagan was on hand when Admiral Donald Whitmire received the Murphy Award. When people were burning the flag, you were waving it.
Military displays are a proud tradition.
I don't know if a president has ever thanked you for that. Along with the annual awards presentations, today's Spirit of America Festival celebrates America's birthday with crooning singers, sack races, sports competition, swirling cotton candy, performing acts, booth games, craft exhibits, static displays, watermelon eating contests, paratrooper jumps, bluegrass bands, wheelbarrow races and much more. The crowning of the new Miss Point Mallard, a preliminary for the Miss America Scholarship Pageant, precedes the launching of one of the largest aerial fireworks shows in North Alabama. The Spirit of American festival is coordinated and implemented by a volunteer board of directors. All events are staged through the financial support of local busineses, industries, the City of Decatur and individual sponsors.