Veterans Day is this Saturday, November 11.
There are several events happening across North Texas, including parades in DFW to honor the men and women who have served our country.
TARRANT COUNTY
NBC 5 is proud to sponsor of the annual Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade on Saturday morning in Fort Worth.
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
The weather is expected to be perfect for the parade with cool temperatures and no chance for rain.
The parade is celebrating its 104th year, one of the longest-running parades in the entire state.
It steps off at 11 a.m. from Panther Island and will continue along Forest Park Boulevard and back again. NBC 5's own Veterans Network will have a float filled with some of our amazing employees from NBC 5 and Telemundo 39.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Organizers recommend families get set up in their viewing spot by 9:30 a.m. because roads will start closing at 10 a.m. in the area before the parade begins at 11 a.m.
Retired Col. Joseph Campbell is the parade marshal this year. There will also be marching bands from seven local schools, a military band from Oklahoma, up to 4,000 JROTC cadets, the 1st cavalry mounted division from Fort Cavazos, and a military flyover of F-18 attack fighters from the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
Click here for more details about the parade.
This year's theme is Saluting TCU Warriors in honor of Texas Christian University’s 150th anniversary. The theme will salute the university's military legacy and programs, as well as one of its most famous alums – Medal of Honor recipient -- Maj. Horace S. Carswell, Jr.
He was killed in action in World War II and is the namesake of the former Carswell Air Force base in Fort Worth, now the current joint reserve base.
The Tarrant County Veterans Council, which has organized the parade every year since the early 1970s, said Veterans Day is a chance to teach the next generations about these legacies and the sacrifices that shouldn’t be forgotten.
“We have kids out there that don't have a clue what Vietnam War was, what Vietnam is, what Korea was. What happened in World War II? They see the cartoons or they see the books and magazines, comic books, video games. It's not about that,” said Dan Zmroczek, president of the Tarrant County Veterans Council and himself a Vietnam War veteran. “My generation needs to be sure that following generations never forget the sacrifices that were made so they can do what they're doing.”
DALLAS COUNTY
Though the Dallas Veterans Day parade was canceled on Thursday, there is another parade happening in southern Dallas on Saturday. Hosted by Dallas mayor pro tem Carolyn King Arnold of District 4, the parade will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The route starts at Cedar Crest Cathedral on Illinois Avenue and ends at the VA Hospital.
In Farmers Branch, the city will host a ceremony and celebration featuring the Alada Brass band, military displays, a caricature artist, face painting, a photo booth, and veterans services groups. Complimentary hot dog or hamburger lunches will be served while supplies last. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center at 14050 Heartside Place.
In Grand Prairie, a ceremony and free lunch will be served by the Rotary Clubs of Grand Prairie at the Veterans Park Event Center. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery will host an event on Saturday, featuring retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Craig Timberlake delivering the keynote address, a performance by the Midlothian High School Choir, and a presentation of colors by the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base’s Color Guard. There will also be a flyover and a rifle salute. The event starts at 11 a.m.
The Commemorative Air Force is hosting an Aviation Discovery Festival through Sunday at Dallas Executive Airport. Click here for details.
COLLIN COUNTY
The city of Frisco is also hosting a community parade for veterans featuring floats, marching bands and other organizations to honor veterans. The theme is “Stars, Stripes and Service.” The parade starts at Toyota Stadium, and continues east on Main Street finishing at North County Road. The parade will also be live-streamed. The free event starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday on Main Street in historic downtown Frisco. Click here for details.
In McKinney, Veterans Memorial Park will host a traditional ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, including a wreath-laying to honor all those who have served.
The Plano East Rotary Club is inviting the public to check out its annual display of more than 1,000 American flags, each honoring a veteran or first responder. On Saturday, patriotic music will be performed by the Salvation Army Band, Plano Children’s Chorale and Plano Civic Chorus. Patriot Paws service dogs will be on-site, and there will be JROTC drills, a flag retirement ceremony and a gun salute in the evening. The event takes place at Red Tail Pavilion at Oak Point Park.
DENTON COUNTY
The Colony is hosting an all-day festival on Saturday featuring live music, a carnival and car show plus a vendors expo. There will be a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. and a free fireworks show at 8 p.m. Parking is free.
Roanoke will host a veterans parade, car show and cook-off on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall Plaza on South Oak Street. The event includes a classic car show, free activities for children, a cook-off between Roanoke's local restaurants offering free food samples, live music, a Veterans Day ceremony, and a parade.
