GRAPEVINE, TEXAS (October 22, 2021) – Salute military veterans at the annual Veterans Day Parade, Saturday, November 6 at 10 a.m. in Historic Downtown Grapevine. Veterans and citizens are invited to experience this meaningful day for our country’s military servicemen and women.
This year’s parade will honor and give thanks to those who have been presented a Purple Heart Medal for their selfless sacrifices and commendable action. A Purple Heart, conferred to those who have been wounded while serving in the U.S. military, has been given to more than 1.8 million service members since the award was created in 1782 (USO.org).
Purple Heart Vietnam veteran Eric Newton will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. Newton served as an armored vehicle driver with the 11th Armored Cavalry in 1968 and 1969. He received his Purple Heart medal for wounds sustained on November 26, 1968.
36 years after Vietnam, Newton went on combat operations in Iraq and mentored a new generation of soldiers with his old unit.
“The most important thing an old soldier can do is teach young soldiers how to become old soldiers,” Newton said.
Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, 24th Congressional District, will also be participating in this year’s parade and will have a veterans assistance information booth. Van Duyne will also be presenting a Vietnam War Commemoration and a TX-24 Veteran Commendation, which serves as an opportunity to honor distinguished veterans of the 24th Congressional District to preserve their stories for future generations of Americans. Van Duyne is accepting nominations at her District Office through October 29.
Veterans and veteran groups along with Grapevine’s many civic and service organizations will participate in the parade.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Main and West Hudgins Streets and will travel north along Main Street, ending at East Wall Street. Free parking will be available throughout Historic Downtown Grapevine. Special photo opportunities will be available throughout the event.
Veterans Fair, hosted by VFW Post 10454 Grapevine and the City of Grapevine, is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will take place in the large public parking lot behind the Town Square Gazebo (115 E. Worth St.) with more than 15 organizations in attendance providing veteran services, programs and benefits. Attendees can enjoy live music performed by Guitars for Heroes, an all veteran band that is part of the Wounded Warrior Project. View military vehicles, enjoy great food from AMBUCS and Elks Lodge, participate in activities and much more. For more information about the Grapevine Veterans Day Parade and Fair, visit https://grapevineveteransparade.com/
Veterans Day is an official United States federal holiday observed annually on November 11, honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Grapevine Veterans Day Parade is held to celebrate and salute the nation’s veterans. Organizers strive to highlight the true meaning of Veterans Day by informing veterans of available assistance programs, as well as how the community can contribute to help veterans in need.
For additional information about Grapevine, please contact the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 817.410.3185 or visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com.