TOP PHOTO: Vietnam veteran David Hicks, with his wife Diana, served as Grand Marshall of the 2022 Veterans Day Parade.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – The La Follette Veterans Day Parade will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023, beginning at 2pm. The parade route will be along Central Avenue beginning at the La Follette Methodist Church and ending at the Sonic.

The Parade Committee, under the leadership of Ed Housley, Chairman and President of Chapter 1148 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, has begun its planning work.  Fund raising continues as well as planning to make this year’s parade bigger and better.

It was a cold Veterans Day in 2022.

The 2023 parade will recognize and honor all Veterans most especially the Vietnam Veterans on the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War for the United States.  It was 50 years ago in 1973 that the final United States combat troops were removed from Vietnam.  In commemoration of the end of US involvement and working with the City of LaFollette, the Local Heroes banners for Vietnam Veterans will be displayed in downtown LaFollette from November 1 through November 15.

The committee is seeking community groups to enter floats for the parade with a $500 prize to the winner.  All entries must have a patriotic theme including the red, white, and blue of our great country.  Other ideas being considered include a Flag fun run, more bands, military units from the National Guard and Reserves, a flyover among many other ideas.  The committee welcomes ideas from community members on how to make the parade better while honoring our many Veterans of Campbell County. 

The 2023 Veterans Day Parade plans to be bigger and better.

If you are interested in participating in the parade, please complete the application and return to Ed Housley or drop it off at the Veterans Services office on East Central Avenue.  If you have questions, please contact Ed at 423-489-2792.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/25/2023-6AM)

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