Arlington resident Zayvian Lopez, 10, runs with American flags during the Texas Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 in the Arlington Entertainment District. Attendees were handed flags before the parade.
Floats, vintage cars and American flags surrounded the Arlington Entertainment District as the Texas Veterans Day Parade celebrated members of each military branch.
The annual celebration featured around 90 floats and groups with Rex Tillerson, former secretary of state, serving as the parade’s grand marshal.
Tillerson said the parade was an opportunity to recognize all the men and women who have served over the decades and helped fight for people’s freedoms and preserve their liberties.
“As our Pledge of Allegiance says, and as we often sing, this is the land of the free, but only as long as it’s the home of the brave,” he said.
Alisa Simmons, Tarrant County Precinct 2 commissioner, waves to the crowd during the Texas Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 in the Arlington Entertainment District. Multiple political officials participated in the parade.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said the parade encompasses what the city is all about — honoring and respecting those who have taken care of the people in the country. As a veteran himself, he said the day is about celebrating those he served with and who have served before and after him.
The parade kicked off with the Juan Seguin High School marching band and color guard performing the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Matt Bailey, Juan Seguin High School assistant band director, said it was a great honor to perform the song at the opening of the parade.
Afterward, the UTA ROTC shot off a full round from “Roaring Rebel the Third,” a cannon built in 1942.
Rex Tillerson, parade grand marshal and former Texas U.S. secretary of state, receives an award for his service from Arlington Mayor Jim Ross during the Texas Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 in the Arlington Entertainment District. Tillerson was the 69th U.S. secretary of state.
“It means a lot to be out here on Veterans Day, commemorating those who fought and died or are still alive to this day, proving their service,” said Rowan Highfill, UTA ROTC officer in charge of the cannon team.
Floats, marching bands and other participants began going down the parade route soon after the cannon fire. Throughout the event, attendees felt well represented.
John Campbell, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general, said veterans are lucky to have a place like Dallas-Fort Worth that supports them.
“Texas is a very veteran-friendly state,” Campbell said.
Parade attendees wave American flags during the Texas Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 in the Arlington Entertainment District. Toys for Tots was one of the main sponsors and was accepting toy donations.
James Wittenberg, U.S. Air Force veteran, was a part of the Fort Worth Aviation Museum’s float, which carried a Vietnam War-era bell helicopter on a trailer.
“Once we get out of service, we’re all one big family,” Wittenberg said.
With the parade over, attendees watched a drone show over Mark Holtz Lake.
Campbell said it is important to recognize veterans themselves, but also demonstrate as a community that veterans are valued.
“The fact that we recognize our veterans and honor them, I think it’s an important signal to the rest of the community,” he said.
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