Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
WARSAW — Crowds sporting America’s red, white and blue lined up the streets of downtown Warsaw, N.C., to celebrate the 103rd Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The annual celebration is the oldest running Veterans Day observance in the country, with the first one taking place in 1921 after World War I. It is also the state’s official Veterans Day Parade.
“Five years ago, we were able to pass legislation in the General Assembly to declare this the official North Carolina Veterans Day Parade,” said Representative Jimmy Dixon who was among the special guests. Dixon told the North State Journal he was happy to be there and since 1952 he has missed less than 10 parades, noting he was only 7 years old when he attended for the first time. “Beautiful weather, beautiful day. God Bless America.”
Senator Ted Budd, who was a guest speaker, said he was honored to be attending for the first time.
“I am no stranger to the significance of this day and have immense pride in this community when it comes to honoring the sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served our nation. So I hope even after the celebrations and the remembrances of today that you will take a moment to reflect on the freedoms that we enjoy,” said the senator.
Crowds cheered and waved flags as US Army soldiers from Fort Liberty marched along Railroad Street followed by the US Marine Corps color guard detail from Camp Lejeune. One by one, more than 100 groups paraded along the streets of Warsaw in a festive display nearly a mile long.
From school marching bands, JROTC units, homecoming queens and kings, to Sudan Cruisers, Shrine Clubs, VFW posts, first responders, churches, cars and motorcycle clubs, all joyfully waved at the multitude.
Warsaw Mayor AJ Connors said that he enjoyed seeing the flow of the parade, seeing everyone enjoying themselves and having two political figures there for the parade.
“All the people seemed to be happy, laughing, talking and fellowshipping,” said Mayor Connors. “We had a good time.”
For Sgt. Mayor LaMar Smith, a Warsaw native serving with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Cavazos, Texas, being able to come home as the parade’s Grand Marshall was an honor and a special milestone.
“I left here in 1997 and I remember as a kid sitting out here on the streetside waving at veterans and now I’m sitting here as a grand Marshall 26 years later,” said Smith reminiscing of his childhood.
Among the guests attending the parade was L.P. Best’s great niece Julia Bryan Royall Canavan, who visited from Raleigh.
“My father was born on the L.P. Best House and my great uncle is L.P. Best,” said Royall Canavan, who came with a group of friends from the Triangle to celebrate her birthday.
“Some friends decided to surprise me for my 70th birthday and came down so they could see where my family was born,” Royall Canavan shared, as they were getting ready to head out for the Veterans Museum housed inside the L.P. Best House .
“Yall have such a heritage here – it is something to be proud of,” said Royall Canavan.
The parade, which lasted for over an hour, has become a staple of the Warsaw community and a yearly event families look forward to celebrating.
