Crestviews Veterans Parade

Each of the four veteran's post here in town are currently coordinating to make Crestview's first "Veteran's Day Parade" a success. It will occur....weather and the City's work schedule on downtown Main Street rehabilitation project permitting....on Tuesday, November 11th.at 9:30 a.m. We hope to start early so that the parade will end at approximately 11:00 a.m. at or near the Okaloosa County Courthouse and the "Eternal flame" memorial site, presently located at the corner of Main Street and Courthouse Terrace adjacent to where the City decorates its Christmas tree.

The significance of the time....the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" was to focus on the horrors of war. "Veterans Day" was once called "Armistice Day", from the sign of documents ending World War One. That was "the war to end all wars." Later, following W.W.II....it was changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans of all wars our Nation has fought.

Although the AMVETS (American Military Veterans of W.W.II, Korea and Vietnam) Post 35 initiated the effort, the American Legion Post 75, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5450, Disabled American Veterans(DAV) Post 57 and the Crestview Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks lodge 2624, are all a part of the planning and participation of this event.

Invitations have already been sent out to the Commanders of each of our local bases, the National Guard, the Air Force Reserve units and each of our politicians. The ROTC units from both Crestview and Baker will also be in the parade. The bands from each of the schools have also been invited. Our County Commissioners who represent the North Okaloosa County districts have been invited....each of the City Council, the Mayor, our State Representatives, and our United States Representative Joe Scarborough have been invited. Also, some specific units have been invited; such as the Red Horse Squadron at Hurlburt. And most importantly.. each and every veteran have been invited.

If you served "honorably" in the military, you are invited to be in the first "Veteran's Day" parade ever to be held in Crestview, Florida. If you had service in any military branch...Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard... or any supplementary service to them, we the military veterans invite you to join the parade.

You may join the parade in progress at any point you wish....by simply stepping off the curb and joining during the march.

If you are disabled, but are mobile with crutches, wheelchair or any prosthesis, you are invited to join the parade at any point in it's progress. A friend may also join the parade if you need help.

It will of necessity be a short parade, only six or seven blocks....but it will be a first for Crestview. And that is not to say that Crestview is the only town with veterans....but more to act as host for all veterans within our community area that includes all north of the Eglin AFB reservation.

There are no entry fees...and there will be no prizes for best float. There will only be your personal pride and recognition of service to your country.

Wear your uniform if you can...if not, then your ribbons or a cap. But do not let your lack of a uniform keep you from joining the parade. Be proud of your service, wear your pride...and let others in your community know you are a veteran.

Five organizations form the parade committee for 1997. Hosting the chair is AMVETS Post 35 at 105 John King Road. Other veterans organizations assisting are the "American Legion Post 75" on East James Lee Blvd., the "Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450" on West James Lee Blvd., the "Disabled American Veterans Chapter 57" in Shoffner City, and
the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge 2624 on Pine Street across from the Courthouse.

It is intended that the parade will finish in time for the "American Legion" Memorial Service on Courthouse grounds at 11:00 a.m. Following that ceremony, the Emerald Coast Blood Bank will have the "Blood Mobile" in Crestview from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. at 105 John King Road, AMVETS Post 35 parking lot. All citizens are welcome to give blood.

For further information, please contact Bruce Hoon or Jack Bell

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Veteran's Day Parade 1997

Crestview High Marching Band	Crestview High Color Guard
R.O.T.C.
	Our Military