By Taylor Boyd
After a two-year hiatus, the Patrick County Veteran’s Day Parade, held by the Patrick County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard, is scheduled to return 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Richard Cox, treasurer of the guard group and chairman of the parade, said the organization did not hold the event in 2019 or 2020 due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We decided to hold it this year because it seems like the COVID is not as pervasive this year in our area as it was last year. There’s some other events that are coming up and people are attending them, so we felt like the negatives were less than the positive and we just decided to reassume doing the parade,” he said.
Participants will line up near Moody Funeral Services Inc., in Stuart, with one lane of traffic being coned off for the parade. The parade will turn left onto Blue Ridge Street and proceed down Main Street, then turn right onto Slusher Street and head towards the Patrick County Administration Building, where an assembly will be held.
It will include patriotic performances by the Patrick County High School Band and guest speakers Joe Griffith and Doug Dunlap.
Cox said the guard group has tried to get various veterans and businesses and organizations in Patrick County to participate.
“We’d just like to encourage the veterans of Patrick County to come out and be a part of this, which is their day. We have Memorial Day for our deceased veterans who gave so much, but this is a day for those who we still have with us,” he said.
Noting that the ranks of local veterans are thinning, and time is catching up with several of those remaining, Cox said he hopes veterans will attend to be recognized for their service to the community and the country.
He also encourages some church and civic groups to enter the parade, to both help pay homage to those who served and “make it look a little bit more attractive and festive.”
The parade will include a float for all veterans, the Patrick County High School (PCHS) band, a float from the Philpot Dam Rangers, students from Teresa’s School of Baton & Dance, and lots of vintage and classic cars.
The Patriot Guard Riders, a civilian group, also will attend, Cox said, and added “they go to a lot of the veterans’ funerals. They ride their motorcycles and escort the decreased veterans.”
Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith will lead the parade, and the City of Martinsville Police Department Color Guard will present the colors. Harvey Spangler, a Korean War veteran, was named grand marshal.
Participation is free. The rain date is Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
Veterans, businesses, and organizations interested in participating in the parade may call Cox at (276) 930-3265 or (276) 340-1618.
