Scheduled events include Vets for Vets Biker Rally, Louisiana Veterans Honor Parade and more
Several veterans’ support organizations in the Shreveport-Bossier area have announced plans to host a special weekend honoring military veterans, Nov. 7-11, 2012.
The weekend will include a variety of public events, all of which will be free to attend for veterans and their families, and will culminate with a Louisiana Veterans Honor Parade at the State Fair of Louisiana, featuring a 101-year-old veteran of World War II, who will be honored as Parade Marshall.
Veterans Day falls on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012.
In addition to the planned events, organizers encourage veterans, their families and members of the public to explore the wide variety of memorial sites and military-themed attractions available in Shreveport-Bossier. For more information, contact the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau toll-free at (888) 45-VISIT or visit www.shreveport-bossier.org.
The tentative schedule of events is as follows:
Veterans Day Celebration Party
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m.
Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home
3130 Arthur Ray Teague Parkway, Bossier City
All veterans are invited to the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home Veterans Day Celebration. Parkway High School ROTC and Band will provide musical entertainment.
Vets for Vets Biker Rally
Saturday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
RiverPark Church (Formerly Hamel’s Park), 3232 E. 70th Street, Shreveport
The Vets for Vets Biker Rally will include live bands, display tables, a silent auction and Louisiana National Guard and Barksdale Air Force Base military vehicles and guard dogs on display.
Bikers participating in the rally will pay a registration fee, but there will be no admission fee to enter the park. Participating bikers will ride through the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home driveway circle.
Louisiana Military Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony
Sunday, Nov. 11, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, 705 Elvis Presley Avenue, Shreveport
The American Legion’s Post 14 Commander, Stephen J. Lavery, will speak on the history of the Municipal Auditorium and the role that the American Legion played in leading the fundraising drive to build the building. All legionnaires are encouraged to attend this ceremony. Cleauthor Sanders, a USMC veteran who fought in World War II, will be inducted into the Louisiana Military Hall of Heroes.
Louisiana Veterans Honor Parade
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2-4 p.m.
Barksdale Air Force Base B-52 Fly-over at 2 p.m.
Louisiana State Fair Grounds, 3701 Hudson Avenue, Shreveport
On the closing day of the State Fair of Louisiana, a parade consisting of floats, marching bands, ROTC drill teams and veterans organizations will parade down the midway beginning at the Fair Grounds Field baseball stadium and ending at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.
Free admission and free parking will be provided for all veterans and their families.
Veterans are encouraged to wear their organizational veteran caps, military vet ball caps and t-shirts. A Veterans Day speech will be presented and veterans in attendance will have the option to ride a shuttle bus in the parade.
Louisiana Veterans Honor Ceremony at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum
Sunday, Nov. 11, Following the Louisiana Veterans Honor Parade
Hirsch Memorial Coliseum, 3701 Hudson Avenue, Shreveport
Veterans from all wars will be recognized during the Louisiana Veterans Honor Ceremony at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. The Shreveport Metropolitan Concert Band and Airline High School Choir will perform special music. Judge Henry Brown is the featured speaker. Informational booths on veterans services will be available, and awards will be presented to local veterans for special service.
“America’s Veterans: Heroes Then…Heroes Now!”
Military Tattoo Ceremony
Monday, November 12 at 9 a.m.
Boys’ Gymnasium at Parkway High School
Ronald M. Chatelain, Louisiana’s most decorated soldier, will be the honored guest at Parkway High School’s JROTC Military Tattoo Ceremony. Chatelain is the recipient of the Distinguished Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and five Purple Hearts — all awards given for bravery in combat.
A retired Army General will be there to present Mr. Chatelain’s Distinguished Cross. The public is invited to attend this momentous occasion and also observe the Tattoo Ceremony, a military tradition that dates back more than 300 years.
This year’s program will feature a Saber Team, Drum Corps, Drill Team, dance line performance, choral selection, service medley, a flag folding ceremony including TAPS, an enlistment ceremony of high school students and more. A short social will follow the ceremony.