TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Tuesday is Veterans\u2019 Day \u2014 a time to honor those who fought for our country, and during the parade in Tallahassee, two more lives are being honored. <\/p>\n
Gavin Witmer, a Rickards High School drum major, and his mother, Angelique, were killed in a car crash last year on the way to the parade. <\/p>\n
Gavin was set to perform with the band in the festivities. This year, organizers of the parade wanted to honor their memory. <\/p>\n
Mark Witmer, Angelique\u2019s husband and Gavin\u2019s father, says he greatly appreciates how the community has continued to come together since their passing. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really touching just how the community has come together over this. Loss is not the only way that can happen, of course, but loss just reminds you of those things that bring you solidarity as a people and how much we need each other to get through these things in life.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the parade, a moment of silence will be observed to honor Gavin and Angelique. The Rickards Band will be the first band in the parade, with many members planning on wearing purple \u2014 Gavin\u2019s favorite color. <\/p>\n
More Tallahassee news: <\/p>\n
John Pantoja, the president of Veterans Events Tallahassee, which organizes the parade, said it\u2019s important to him to honor their memories. <\/p>\n
\u201cI could go the rest of my life, you know, never accomplishing anything else. But just knowing for the fact that I did my best to try and recognize the sacrifice of two wonderful souls that we unfortunately lost,\u201d Pantoja said. <\/p>\n
The veteran\u2019s parade will begin just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday. <\/p>\n
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