Thursday, July 26, 2012

2060 Stripling Warriors


 Helaman and his 2060 Stripling Warriors


President Cory Hanks from Bountiful, Utah
 led over 2060
stripling warriors
in the Handcart Days Parade, July 20th
in my hometown of Bountiful, Utah!



This year’s parade included an entry that will happen  
only one time and in only one parade. 
 Complementing this year’s theme, They Did Not Doubt, young men from all over the area 
came together dressed as warriors.  
They were led by President Cory Hanks, president of the Bountiful South Stake, 
who was dressed as Helaman.
For many years President Hanks has been involved with youth groups, 
dressing as Helaman, and telling the story of the 2000 stripling warriors.  
Years ago he thought about a parade entry that would include 2000 young men all marching in unison, costumed as warriors, but the time was never right. 
 Finally, in 2012, it has all come together.
Young men from all over the valley were invited to be in the march.  It was so inspiring to see.  
They were all costumed and each carried a wooden staff-like spear. 
Each of the staffs had a nail in the bottom.  
Every forth step, the young men would strike the staff on the pavement
which will make a thunderous sound unlike any heard before in a parade.  
They were all be wearing wrist bands that proclaimed the message, 
“They Did Not Doubt!”
At certain times on the parade route
they began striking their spears on the ground faster and faster,
then in unison shouted
"WE DID NOT DOUBT!"

 Danny, ( my friend Kelly's husband),
 helped plan this EVENT for over a year...
 



I drove to Utah with my friend Sheri and her husband.
We had a grand time watching the parade!
Good job Bountiful, Utah!
You touched me!