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The Ki Chi Saga Days Grande Parade this weekend is definitely not the first parade experience for this year’s Grand Marshal — but it will be a treat,  being able to ride rather than walk.  Longtime military color guard member George McMahon will be in the lead car, as a public thank you for his many productive contributions to the Chisago Lakes area.

Service is just a natural part of McMahon’s personality, as an Army veteran and an elected official and as displayed in his behind the scenes work on projects and programs.

 McMahon stepped away four years ago from 12 years serving as a county commissioner, not filing for re-election and opting to spend more time with hobbies, social causes and trying to be the best grandpa in the world to his family. 

The All County Veterans’ Memorial in Lindstrom was a project McMahon worked on alongside a remarkable group of Greatest Generation Vets who raised the funds, designed the plaza and constructed it and gave it sustainability.  McMahon was also involved in bringing the “Wall That Heals” Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica to the area in 2009.  

As a commissioner on the County Board he was representing the county on the regional library system board, he was involved in emergency radio realignment and long range planning to make the entire metro first responders to communicate effectively.  

The Ki Chi Saga Days parade is Sunday, Aug. 18 stepping off at 2 p.m. on Old Towne Road, by the Primary School/Parmly section heading north to downtown and onto Railroad Avenue. 

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