American Legion to host Veterans Day parade
(Photo Submitted)
The United States Air Force Honor Guard will help kick off the 3rd Annual Eastern Shore Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 14 in Laurel.
By Samantha Monroe
The Laurel American Legion Post 19 is hosting the 3rd Annual Eastern Shore Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. in Laurel to honor veterans past and present.
Several members from different branches of the military are participating in the parade. The United States Air Force Honor Guard will lead off this year’s parade that will also include marching units, military units and equipment, bands, floats and many other tributes.
The theme for this year's parade is “Freedom is Not Free.” Participant lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. at the intersections of Oak Lane Drive and Evergreen Drive. The parade will conclude on Wilson Street at North Laurel Elementary School.
A goal for this year is to have a member from each VFW and American Legion in the state of Delaware participate in the parade.
Parade Chair Chris Shirey said the reason for the event is to recognize all the veterans who left their homes, jobs, and communities to protect our freedom.
“They deserve our thanks,” said Shirey. “It isn’t just important to veterans. It is important for our children and ourselves to see heroes and to have the opportunity to celebrate, honor and be proud of our country.”
The event is free, but donations help promote the parade and help with travelling school bands marching in the parade. Many donations come from local businesses, every year the Sussex County Council gives a generous grant for the event.
“Laurel has been a wonderful community in which to hold this parade,” said Shirey. “Besides financial support and help with advertising from local businesses and groups, the town provides security, traffic control and Department of Transportation requirements each year at no cost to the American Legion.”
Laurel Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker said, "Nobody does parades better than small town America. Nobody does small town America better than Delmarva. This is an opportunity to honor all our veterans both current and from wars past and show them how much they and their families mean to us and the freedom they fought.”
Mr. Parker, who is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, added “The Laurel Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a part of this parade and to promote it not only to our veterans here in Laurel, but all over Delmarva and America,” Mr. Parker said. “Come out and help us make this one of the best parades in America.”
Cathy Parker, a founding parade committee member, stated, “It takes courage to be willing to put your life on the line for your country and its citizens. It is the duty and moral obligation of all of us to thank and honor those men and women who were willing to do it.” She added “I am so proud of Laurel Legion Post 19 for their dedication to all of our soldiers, not just those who died, but to all of the veterans who served and continue to serve our country.”
“It is the obligation of all of us to teach our children how our freedoms were won. Take them to the Veterans Day Parade, give them a small flag to wave, and teach them that they can thank a soldier for all of their freedoms,” Mrs. Parker said. “I hope the folks on the Eastern Shore line the streets of Laurel on November 14. It’s going to be a wonderful parade!”
Registration for the event is now open for participants who wish to be in the parade. Donations are currently being accepted. The last day to register is Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. No late entries will be accepted. Currently no rain date is scheduled.
For more information, contact Parade Chair Chris Shirey at (302) 569-2770, American Legion Post 19 Commander Don Gootee at (302) 875-5688 or visit http://www.easternshoreveteransdayparade.com/.