Parade in support of Trump weaves through Katy, Fort Bend County
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Duane Gaither speaks before the Trump parade on Sept. 12 as his wife, Christine Gaither looks on.
Duane Gaither speaks before the Trump parade on Sept. 12 as his wife, Christine Gaither looks on.
Photo: Claire Goodman / Staff Writer
Duane Gaither speaks before the Trump parade on Sept. 12 as his wife, Christine Gaither looks on.
Duane Gaither speaks before the Trump parade on Sept. 12 as his wife, Christine Gaither looks on.
Photo: Claire Goodman / Staff Writer
More than 300 people and 100 vehicles paraded through Katy, Fulshear, Richmond and Simonton on Saturday, Sept. 12, in support of President Donald Trump.
The vehicles varied in size, from two-door sedans to Hemtt M978 military tankers, but they were all festooned in pro-Trump flags and signs.
The parade route traversed from Bass Pro Shops in Katy, past City Hall and the Katy Police Department, down the Grand Parkway and across FM 1093 before its final destination at Anthonie’s Grill in Simonton.
Before the parade began, supporters gathered in the Bass Pro Shops parking lot to listen to speakers Duane Gaither, the event organizer, and Larry Estes, pastor at West Oaks Fellowship Church. Private planes flew over the event in solidarity.
While the crowd was in fervent support of Trump, Gaither’s message was one of unity, calling together both political parties to honor America and the right to vote.
“For today’s parade we are celebrating our freedom. We’re celebrating the fact that we have a say in our government. We’re celebrating the fact that we are free,” said Gaither. “I don’t care if you’re a Biden fanatic or if you’re Trump’s No. 1 fan. That’s not what I’m about today. Today is about America.”
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Gaither also called for Americans of both parties to vote.
“Don’t be intimidated out of participating by one side or the other, no matter what your beliefs. If you have something you believe in, and you want to support Biden, then get out there and support him. If you want to support President Trump, then get out there and support him. Be a part of the process,” he said.
In his invocation, Estes issued harsher words about the state of America. He asked God to forgive America for greed, allowing children to receive a public education and for turning away from the belief that marriage exists only between a man and woman.
“(Trump) seems to be a God-fearing man,” Estes said. “May our country be exalted, may our president be exalted, and we are standing here because we need him to be our president once again.”
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Johnny Nimmons is a staunch supporter of Trump. He attended the parade in his M1079 tanker, which he purchased at a military auction.
“I only have one thing to say, and that’s that I’m here in support of my president,” Nimmons said as he lined his vehicle up for the parade.
As the parade wound its way through Fort Bend County, multiple cars joined in support.
“(Many people) did not know about the parade and just joined in along the way,” Gaither said.
Reflecting on the experience, Gaither lamented the schism between political parties and social divides.
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“My personal feeling is that this is probably one of the more important elections in my lifetime, and I’m 62 years old. I see a great division in the United States right now that I don’t like very much, and that I never really saw before,” Gaither said.
Gaither acknowledged that the death of George Floyd has made him more acutely aware of racial divides in the nation.
“Ten years ago, even right here in the deep south, I would have told you that I don’t believe racism exists. Today, it’s obvious,” he said.
Gaither reiterated his hopes that the parade will inspire voters of both political parties to vote in the November election.
“We need to unite ourselves, and we need to put our partisan politics aside and understand that the election — the vote — is a process. It’s a political process that gives us our voice in government. And it gives us our right to express and keep our freedom. That’s the important part.”
