The Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation celebrated Veterans Day with an 11th Hour Ceremony Nov. 11 in Fair Park to commemorate the sacrifices of millions of soldiers who have served the U.S. Military.
This year’s parade theme was “Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War,” a spokesperson for the Greater Dallas Veterans Day Parade Committee said.
The event included a traditional symbolic laying of the wreath, playing of taps, and a missing man formation aerial flyover salute and parade. Representatives from the U.S. Congress were in attendance, alongside state and local officials and dignitaries, to pay their respects to all U.S. veterans in active service and veterans who have served our nation in the past. The parade was filled with volunteer groups, first responders, floats and 27 JROTC groups, which highlighted high school student cadets from the greater Dallas area.
They paid their respects as they marched in precision, representing their schools, to the beat of drums as the marching bands played patriotic tunes the crowds loved.
Staff Sgt. Velton Davis and Grammy Nominee Tony Orlando served as this year’s grand marshals. “Whenever you see someone who has served, tell them thank you for your service,” Orlando said.
Orlando served as the keynote speaker and was honored as the second recipient of the Veterans Day Patriot Award. Orlando thanked the generals for his award. Orlando revisited his experience of singing “I’m Coming Home” 52 years ago at the Cotton Bowl in front of 70,000 people, commemorating the prisoners of war.
To date, Orlando said he has raised over $100 million for veterans. Hundreds turned out in support and gathered along the parade route waving American flags. That appeared to bring immense joy to Philip A. “Pat” Teipel (FMR) US Army, who has helped plan the parade for 28 years. Teipel emphasized the importance of having our youth involved in the parade, as they are the future leaders of our nation’s military. The parade moved from Downtown Dallas to Fair Park’s Hall of State due to ongoing construction at the convention center, Teipel said.
