BY JOYCE GODWIN

HERALD DEMOCRAT

Mary Margaret and Billy Hall of Van Alstyne took volunteering to a new level for the Memorial Day weekend. On Friday they mounted their motorcycle and took to the highways, headed toward Hobart, Okla. Once there the couple donned bright yellow T-shirts with "VOLUNTEER" splashed across the back and decorated in the front with an American Flag.

The two found themselves in service to the first annual Celebration of Freedom '09

"We just came to visit our friends, Kent and Connie Preston, and when we got here, they gave us these volunteer shirts, so we went to work," Mary Margaret Hall said with a smile.

The two started out early Saturday helping to serve the pancake breakfast at the local airport where close to 40 planes were expected to fly in during the day. Billy helped keep the area clean of debris, and basically did whatever needed doing during the breakfast while Mary Margaret collected money and helped direct patrons who came through the hangar for the breakfast treat.

From the breakfast, the Halls moved into town to help stage the parade which lasted more than 30 minutes and included several veterans groups, the band from Fort Sill, Okla., a Native American color guard, antique tractors and much, much more. While Mary Margaret continued to help with staging parade entries, Billy Hall got the motorcycle ready to ride in the parade with the Preston's 82-year-old aunt in Mary Margaret's place on the back seat. Aunt Bonnie said she'd never ridden a motorcycle before.

Celebrate Freedom was started because of the new addition in Hobart, the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum which also held its grand opening on Saturday.

Franks said he chose Hobart, Okla. for his museum, after retiring from his military career, because he loves the area and his wife was raised close to Hobart. He and wife Kathy, with the help of long-time aide to the general, Col. Michael Hayes, Ret., have overseen the restoration of several Main Street buildings for the museum and leadership institute.

Before his July 2003 retirement, Franks who was born in Wynnewood, Okla., served as Commander of the U.S. Central Command, overseeing U.S. Armed Forces operations in a 25-country region including the Middle East. He was the U.S. general leading the attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He also led the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

Franks announced Saturday that he expects Texas Gov. Rick Perry to be a speaker next month for about 45 teenagers expected in his leadership institute.

The patriotic and day-long celebration ran along side other annual events on the Hobart square such as "Arts on the Square" now in its 41st year and a quilt show. Finally, country western singer Neal McCoy capped off the day with a concert with a special guest appearance from Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton. McCoy explained he and Newton got to know Gen. Franks and each other when they participated in USO tours before Franks retired.

"I thought the concert was really nice," Mary Margaret Hall said. Referring to the rain that fell during a portion of the concert she added "There wasn't anything going to scare those people off." She said she loved the people there, and "for as big an event as it was, I thought it was very calm and that was a good thing. Everybody got along, there was no complaining or grumbling or scuffles. It was a good feeling."

In line with one of Franks' passions, the Saturday's event was all about honoring veterans who were provided free tickets for the concert.

The Halls say they are already planning to go back to Hobart for next year's celebration.