MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – In 1976, as the country marked America’s 200th birthday, a coast-to-coast Bicentennial Wagon Train journey rolled through communities nationwide — including Alabama — before all wagon trains ultimately converged in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania on July 4.
For one Alabama couple, the celebration became something far more personal.
Steve Stabler of Greenville and Deborah Stabler of Elba met in the spring of 1976 while taking part in the Bicentennial Wagon Train’s 35-day trek through Alabama. Steve rode on horseback, helping lead the wagon train, while Deborah handled publicity — promoting stops and events as the wagons moved from Florala and continued north toward Tennessee…