National Veterans Day Parade
Birmingham, Alabama
Americans had celebrated the end of World War I on Armistice Day each November since 1919. But in 1947, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, began a campaign to reclassify Veterans Day as a day to honor veterans of all foreign wars. Birmingham celebrates its place as the “birthplace of Veterans Day” each year with the National Veterans Day Parade. Some 80,000 spectators come to watch this parade, which concludes with fireworks over the city’s famous Vulcan statue. Other elements of the celebration include a veterans memorial service and a world peace luncheon.
Welcome Home Veterans Celebration
Clarksville, Tennessee
As home to the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, Clarksville, Tennessee, has patriotism in spades. Each September, the city comes together to celebrate its history of service and patriotic spirit at the Welcome Home Veterans Celebration. Taking place over National POW/MIA Remembrance Day, the three-day celebration honors veterans of all the armed forces. Festivities include a formal remembrance ceremony, musical and comedy entertainment and a Welcome Home parade. Groups get reserved seats at the parade, and group members who served in the armed forces are invited to march in the procession. This year’s celebration will take place September 12-16.
www.welcomehomeveteranscelebration.com
Commerce City Memorial Day Parade
Commerce City, Colorado
A suburb on the north side of Denver, Commerce City, Colorado, isn’t famous for much. But each May, it hosts the state’s largest Memorial Day Parade in its historic downtown district. The parade takes place over two hours and follows a mile-and-a-half route. More than 100 local and state organizations participate in the parade. Visitors can see marching bands, military units, decorated floats and antique cars. This year will mark the city’s 54th annual Memorial Day parade. Groups can easily include a morning at the parade as part of their tours in the Denver area.
Veterans Day Parade and Observance
Auburn, Washington
Auburn, Washington, is a small waterfront town on the Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma. But it hosts one of the larger Veterans Day events in the United States. The parade takes place in the town’s charming main street area and usually attracts more than 8,000 spectators. More than 200 entities participate in the parade, including high school marching bands, veterans units, honor guards and military vehicles. The parade is accompanied by a variety of community events, including a remembrance ceremony, a marching band competition, a luncheon and a “curb competition,” in which homes and businesses decorate their exteriors with patriotic flair.
