Inaugural Arlington Heroes Parade to Honor Veterans, Active Military Members and First Responders
Arlington residents are invited to attend the inaugural Arlington Heroes Parade, featuring American Wife author Taya Kyle as grand marshal, this Veteran's Day in Downtown Arlington.
The parade, which begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 11, aims to honor Arlington's veterans, active military members and first responders, said Chris Pettitt, Arlington Heroes Parade Committee director.
The parade, which Pettitt hopes will become an annual Veterans Day celebration, also aims to raise awareness about the many organizations available to support our community heroes and their families.
"I want to give a big Arlington salute to our heroes because Arlington cares and appreciates the impact their husbands, wives and children have on our community," Pettitt said. "This parade is a big thank you!"
Pettitt, a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, has been working to organize the event since last year.
"Every time I mentioned wanting to see a Veteran's Day parade in Arlington, the overwhelming response would be "Don't we have one already?' and then the idea of a putting together a Veterans day parade came to mind," Pettitt said.
While volunteering for the popular Holiday Lights Parade in December, Pettitt said he spoke with Elle Stubbs, Arlington Christmas Parade Inc. board director, for advice on how he could pull together a Veterans Day parade.
Stubbs, who accepted the role as Arlington Heroes Parade co-director, told Pettitt, "I'll do you one better, I'll help you get it going."
The Arlington Heroes Parade is expected to feature floats, vintage cars, firefighters, police officers, veterans, active duty military members, and organizations focused on supporting military and first responders.
Shellie Palmore-Guedry, local and national commander for the Navy Mother's Club of America, said she is ecstatic about participating in the parade. Their parade float will feature patriotic colors and poster pictures of their members' sons and daughters that are active or served in the military.
"We anticipate large crowds and hope this parade will will give us exposure and help grow our club so that we can continue to do more for our troops, veterans and local charities," Palmore-Guedry said.
The Arlington Heroes Parade route runs east on Abram Street near Cooper Street and then turns south on Mary Street to Border Street/UTA Boulevard. From Border/UTA Boulevard, the parade will briefly jog north on Center Street and then turn west onto South Street. The parade will end its circuitous route around Downtown at the UTA Social Work Building parking lot near Cooper Street.
Click here to see the parade route map.
Grand Marshal Taya Kyle, wife of the late U.S Navy SEAL veteran and sniper Chris Kyle, has dedicated her life to raising awareness for military, first responders and their families through the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. The foundation will celebrate its third anniversary on Veterans Day. Kyle is also a New York Times best-selling author through her memoir, American Wife.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of the inaugural Arlington Heroes Parade and to use this day to celebrate the anniversary of the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation," Kyle said.
The parade concludes a week-long Veteran's Day celebration that begins on Saturday, November 4.
Veterans Day Activities in Arlington
November 4: The 2nd annual Veteran Round Up, hosted by VetStarts, will feature an art show, guest speakers, veteran service providers, food trucks, games, service dogs and more. The Veteran Round-Up is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Charles Wade Building, 301 S. Center St., in Downtown Arlington.
November 6: The Chris Kyle Legendary Classic at Arlington's Tierra Verde Golf Club
November 9: 6th annual Hiring Red, White and You! job fair at Globe Life Park in Arlington
November 10: Veterans Day Commemorative Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Park Memorial, 3600 W. Arkansas Lane.
November 11: The Arlington Heroes Run at 8:30 a.m. at Veteran's Park, 3600 W. Arkansas Ln.
November 11: Arlington Heroes Parade at 1 p.m. in Downtown Arlington.
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