Eighth annual Regional Veterans Day Parade and Celebration set Nov. 9

Oct. 31--A parade and ceremony honoring veterans will be experienced alongside food, musical performances, a children's area, vintage military vehicles and more next month.

The eighth annual Regional Veterans Day Parade and Celebration will begin at 10 a.m.Nov. 9 at the Chaffee Crossing Historic District and will attract longtime supporters and new faces via a veteran's parade, food trucks, a children's area, the Medals Presentation and Veterans Honors Ceremony, musical performances, vintage military vehicles, free flu shots and more, said Lorie Robertson, director of marketing for the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority/Chaffee Crossing.

"This is a regional parade; it's not a Fort Smith parade," she said. "We've invited regional mayors to participate, be recognized and do proclamations, fi they wish. The ceremony will be packed and will be so fantastic."

The Medals Presentation and Veterans Honors Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at 7313 Terry St.Little Rock veteran Albert Morgan will be among the veterans honored and recognized during the event, Robertson said.

"Albert Morgan will receive the Bronze Star, and we're going to acknowledge Dick Coser and recognize the new Hall of Fame inductees," she said. "Billy B. Dooly, Tollie Adkins Jr. and Robert A. Johnson will be inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame in November.

"The event also will pay tribute to Tom Cannava, former commander of Fort Chaffee," Robertson added. "He passed away recently and we've invited the family to join us."

Set to begin at noon, the parade will start at the corner of Ward and Taylor avenues before traveling down to Roberts Boulevard and eventually to Terry Street, she said.

"The Crawford and Sebastian County Veterans Coalition choose a group they want to honor every year, and they told me this year they wanted to honor World War I veterans -- to honor their descendants," Robertson said. "The reason they went down that path is, this is the 100th anniversary of the American Legion.

"The American Legion was created to help World War I veterans integrate into society when they came home," she added. "We are going to recognize American Legion Posts -- there are between eight and 10 here in the region."

A display of military memorabilia that was owned by B.H. "Harry" Shipley Sr., the founder of Shipley Baking Co., will be on display for the first time at the event, she said. A veteran-created art piece also will be available for those attending, Robertson said.

"Cre8tive Arts Network rents a building from us and they work with local veterans to create art and display it each year," she said. "It's from several veterans and it will be a surprise for the public.

"And we'll also have the Christ the King Elementary School Choir sing -- this is their fifth or maybe sixth year to come here and perform," Robertson added. "Mercy Trahan, a student from Southside High School, will perform an a capella version of 'The National Anthem.'"

A winter clothing drive will be held in conjunction with the event. Winter coats, blankets, hats, gloves and socks can be donated through Nov. 8 at Deramus Travel in Stonewood Village, 7320 Rogers Ave., Suite 5. These items also can be donated Nov. 9 in the parking lot by the Barbershop Museum, 7313 Terry St.

Representatives from Baptist Health will be on hand to deliver free flu shots, and information booths, including ones that address suicide awareness, will be available for those attending, she said.

"With the parade, as of right now, we have between 900 and 1,000 people registered," Robertson said. "A lot of those are kids, which is great. There will be the Northside High School band, cheerleaders and others.

"And Northside has been awesome," she added. "They have come every year, and they have been our only marching band, almost, every year."

Those seeking more information can visit the Veterans Day Parade at Chaffee Crossing Facebook page and the Chaffee Crossing Historic District Facebook page for information.

"We can never stop thanking American veterans for their sacrifices, period," Robertson said. "This is a very important part of our culture here in western Arkansas. Fort Smith was founded as an Army fort, and then we have Fort Chaffee and the 188th Wing as part of our history.

"Military service is ingrained in this community, and we need to do this event to thank those veterans, but also so our children see us being appreciative of the sacrifices and services of these men and women," she added. "We need to celebrate our freedom publicly every year to remind everyone just how blessed we are."

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