VETERANS DAY PARADE – 2011 “This is the Year of the Air Force !”

08. Nov, 2011 0 Comments

Watch this Video:In Honor of Veterans Day 2011!This is the Year of the Air Force !

The Veterans Day Parade for the Heart of Texas will be held in Waco
on Friday, November 11th at 11am ……. 11th month, 11th day, 11th year
starting at 11am.

The parade route will start at 13th and Austin ending at 3rd Street. The
parade will be “live streamed” world wide to the major military bases.

Starting in 1921, the Parade is a grand 90 years old this year.

There will be about 3,000 participants in 157 units ….. the largest number
on record with: 2 flyovers, bagpipers, 11 bands with drill teams, cheerleaders and flags,
veterans and patriotic groups, Junior ROTC & Young Marine units, police &
fire & military color guards, an Army unit from Fort Hood, and many school
groups.

Trophies to 3 places will be given to bands and floats.

Dignitaries include US Congressman, State Senator, State Representative,
County District Attorney, Waco Mayor, Hewitt Mayor, County Commissioners,
Justice of the Peace, County Sheriff, & Director of the Veterans Administration.

The Air Force Grand Marshals are Colonel Jimmie Hanes (Crawford) who
completed 107 combat missions in the Vietnam War. And Colonel Jim
Rowland (Waco) who served as wing commander during the Iraq War.

The Parade Marshals are Deanie Parrish (Waco) who served with the Women
Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. And Tom Hughes (Waco) who
has worked with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder veterans at the Waco Veterans
Hospital for 23 years.

The Honorary Marshals are Morris Barker (Waco) who as a gunner was shot
down on his 7th combat mission over Hungary and became a prisoner of war.
And Philip Dreiseszun (Waco) who as a navigator was shot down on his 11th
combat mission over Germany and became a prisoner of war.

After the Parade ….. hot dogs, chili, and ice cream will be served to the
participants, veterans and visitors at 3 veterans posts:

American Legion Post 121 ————— 4th and Tennessee
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8564 —- 702 No. 18th Street
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6008 —- I-35 and Sun Valley Pkwy

Dr Mike O’Bric, Parade Director 399-9974
McLennan County Veterans Assn
Marine Corps Mustangs Assn