John Forbes invested as Grand Marshal 26 years after his father
John Forbes dared dreamed of being Grand Marshal of the Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. And on Sunday afternoon, Forbes found himself delivering the grand marshal’s address after being publicly invested as the 200th parade’s leader.
“My dreams just never ended this way; I never got to this part of the dream,” Forbes said during the speech. “What an incredible ending.”
Sunday’s investiture took place at Georgia Southern University where Forbes was given his sash and medal in front of about 100 people, including family, local elected officials, and members of Savannah’s Irish community.
Also invested at the ceremony were Forbes’ aides, which included his father Jim Forbes, who was invested as grand marshal 26 years ago.
“I remember being proud of him, in all the hard work he had done and everything he had accomplished,” Forbes said of his father.
John Forbes’ son Conor also was invested as an aide, continuing the family tradition. Conor Forbes is back in Savannah as a nurse after graduating from college. Forbes said it “means a lot” to have Conor by his side.
Pat Rossiter, president of the Hibernian Society, said he remembers teaching John Forbes economics in high school at Benedictine Military School. Rossiter said Forbes was focused and hardworking but also liked to play like a “typical Irish kid.”
“I’m so happy for John, and we’ll definitely be marching right there behind him,” Rossiter said.
Forbes said he still wakes up in the morning pinching himself to make sure it’s not a dream. His address focused on how grateful he was to receive the honor and represent Savannah’s Irish community.
“I am just going to soak it all in for the next few weeks,” Forbes said.
Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.