The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

Firecrackers named at holiday celebration

By Jordan Boner

Managing Editor

Dallas Corbin and Toby Lucas were named the 2011 Little Mister and Miss Firecracker Sunday night during the Red, White and Blue days at Morton Park.

The two were brought on stage between performances by Resonation Station and Justin Moore.

Friends and family could be seen close to the stage cheering as Corbin and Lucas were encouraged to wave and blow kisses at the crowd.

Corbin and Lucas were chosen based on how much money was donated in their names.

Boxes were set up at Family Video in Charleston. Each box had a picture of a different contestant on it, and money could be placed in the box to help that child win.

Dallas’s mother, Sam Kater, said she had a pretty good idea of what Corbin’s favorite part of the contest was.

“Probably just getting all glammed up, she likes to be a princess,” said Kater.

Lucas was recognized as being the namesake and grandson of Toby Brant, a Vietnam veteran and an organizer of the first Red, White and Blue days.

Brant lost both legs while serving in Vietnam.

Nikki Brant Lucas, mother of Lucas and daughter of Brant, said her father was a bit of a hero around the Charleston area.

“He made up a float, he was on wooden legs, made up a float out at his house for the guys that came back from the Gulf War,” said Brant Lucas.

Brant made the float so that the troops coming back to Charleston would get some recognition, because he and other Vietnam veterans did not get a welcome home, said Brant Lucas.

Brant also wrote a book about his time in Vietnam titled Journal of a Combat Tanker.

Jordan Boner can be reached

at 581-7942

or [email protected].

Firecrackers named at holiday celebration

Firecrackers named at holiday celebration

Toby Lucas and Dallas Corbin were name Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker at Red White and Blue Days Sunday evening at Morton Park. (Audrey Sawyer

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