PAST GRAND MARSHALS
* Indicates deceased
2010 Dennis Michael Herb, Sr |
1969 Terence J. Brady* |
Grand Marshal
Center of Attention
Walter Crawford, after being selected as the 2011 Grand Marshal.
Walter Crawford was selected to lead the parade by his fellow St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee members at Benedictine Military School on Sunday, February 28th, 2011.
"I'm very happy. My family is very happy. Like I said I couldn't be more proud of the people who selected me for this honor."
Crawford is the Grand Marshal elect for Savannah's 187th Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
"To be Grand Marshal, to be chosen from among so many deserving men, is the greatest honor that a Savannah Irishman can receive."
Crawford's family has always participated in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade tradition. This is Walter and his dad in 1965, dressed in derbies and ready for the parade. The grandson of Irish immigrants, Crawford is a 1969 graduate of Benedictine Military School. He remembers marching in the parade as a cadet.
"I marched all 4 years. My final year I was commissioned as one of the officer of the cadet corps."
The husband, father, and grandfather always dreamed of leading the parade like many before him. Now he's a part of the elite group, and he's chosen "Welcome Cousins" as this year's Saint Patrick's Day theme.
"We'll extend that welcome not only to all of our friends and family here in Savannah and the general public of Savannah, Georgia, but the thousands, tens of thousands of people who come here. I'm going to be treating them just like one of my cousins."
Walter Crawford has degrees in Public Administration and Nursing, and currently works as a Registered Nurse.
His Investiture Ceremony is Sunday, March 6. On that day - Grand Marshal Crawford will be officially presented to the public.
