Published: June 30, 2009 06:03 pm      

Wagon Train to honor soldiers, Charlie Troop

With thousands of Americans in military service throughout the world, the generally carefree atmosphere of Wagon Train will take a more serious tone Saturday night.

The opening ceremonies for Wagon Train on the Fourth of July will be dedicated to all members of the military, with special recognition for the members of Charlie Troop, a light infantry unit that performs reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition based in Dalton. Many members of Charlie Troop deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year. Members of Charlie Troop who did not deploy have been invited to the 7 p.m. ceremony at the Murray County Saddle Club’s arena at 560 Highway 52 East.

Charlie Troop’s time in Afghanistan has special meaning for the Saddle Club. One of its members, 16-year-old Aaron Knight, has two cousins deployed.

“We decided that since we’re that close that we wanted to do something special for them,” said Tammy England, Knight’s mother and a fellow Saddle Club member.

For information about Wagon Train, visit www.murraycountysaddleclub.com.