Taya Kyle, widow of U.S. Navy SEAL veteran and sniper Chris Kyle, made her way down east Abram Street in Downtown Arlington as grand marshal for the inaugural Arlington Heroes Parade on Veteran's Day.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, the sounds of police, ambulance and fire truck sirens filled the air to announce the start of the Arlington Heroes Parade, designed to honor Arlington's veterans, active military members and first responders. A crowd of spectators waved American flags from the sidewalk as more than 40 vehicles and floats participated in the parade.
The Arlington Navy Mothers Club #984, Girl Scout Troop #3504 and Jaguar Owners Association of North Texas were among the many organizations that participated in the parade.
"When I heard there was going to be an Arlington Heroes Parade, I knew we had to come," said U.S. Army Major General veteran Will Latham, who brought his wife to the parade. "We love Arlington."
Shouts of "We love you, Taya!" and "Thank you for all that you do for our heroes!" could be heard from the crowd as Kyle led the parade through Downtown.
Kyle, bestselling author of American Wife, has dedicated her life to raising awareness for military, first responders and their families through the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. The foundation celebrated its third anniversary on Veterans Day.
Arlington resident Andrew Jones said his wife and children love parades and enjoyed seeing the firetrucks, military vehicles and said the parade reminded him of how important it is to support community heroes.
"My family and I wanted to spend Veteran's day by coming out to the parade to support veterans, active military and first responders and giving them a big "thank you'," Jones said.
"Daddy look at the policeman on the horsey," Jones' daughter shouted with excitement as she waved an American flag in her hand.
The Arlington Heroes Parade was the idea of Chris Pettitt, a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who has been working to organize the event since last year. Elle Stubbs and Anthony White also helped lead the parade effort.
Pettitt said he foresees the Arlington Heroes Parade becoming an annual Veterans Day celebration that also aims to raise awareness about the many organizations available to support our community heroes and their families.
"I'm overwhelmed by the huge support we received from the community and it's great to see that Arlington cares and appreciates the impact their husbands, wives and children have on our community," said Pettitt, the Arlington Heroes Parade director. "It was everything I envisioned and more."
Downtown Arlington, Veterans
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