WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (October 27, 2021) -- On Sunday, November 7, 2021, the City of West Palm Beach will be the host city for the 14th Annual Veterans Parade, the largest parade honoring veterans in Palm Beach County. The event is expected to draw thousands of veterans and supporters to Downtown. The parade welcomes Presenting Sponsor NewDay USA.
The Veterans Parade begins at 2 p.m. The parade will begin at S. Rosemary Ave. and Clematis St., then travel east on Clematis St., and end on Flagler Dr. While prime viewing spots are located along the entire route, the best can be found at the corner of Clematis St. and Dixie Hwy., where New Country 103.1 MCs Tim & Chelsea and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Brian Edwards will announce parade participants as they pass.
“On behalf of the City of West Palm Beach, we are proud and honored to be the official host city of the 14th Annual Veterans Parade,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James, who will participate in the parade. “This parade is a way for us to thank our veterans for their courage, valor and sacrifice. Because of them, we are able to enjoy many freedoms. I invite everyone to the parade and to join me in expressing appreciation for our veterans. I also thank NewDay USA and the Palm Beach County Veterans Committee for partnering with the city to host this important event.”
Leading the parade will be Grand Marshal Rear Admiral (RADM) Thomas C. Lynch, U.S. Navy (Ret.). RADM Lynch is the Executive Chairman of NewDay USA and Co-Chairman of the NewDay USA Foundation. Prior, RADM Lynch held numerous positions of increasing responsibility during his decorated 32-year naval career. A 1964 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, his Naval assignments included Chief, Navy Legislative Affairs; Commander of the Eisenhower Battle Group during Operation Desert Shield; Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy from 1991 to 1994, and Director of the Navy Staff at the Pentagon from 1994 to 1995. In 2010, he was awarded the U.S. Naval Academy Distinguished Graduate Award.
"Veterans Day is a time to reflect and honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much in service to our country,” said Executive Chairman of NewDay USA and former Rear Admiral Thomas Lynch. “These patriots are true heroes who remind us of the best we can be as Americans. On behalf of the NewDay USA team, it is my honor to serve as Grand Marshal of the Veterans Day Parade in West Palm Beach."
For the past 13 years, a group of local veterans under the auspices of Friends of Veterans, Inc., have produced a Memorial Day ceremony and a Veterans Day parade honoring our nation's veterans. Committee members include Lauren Berkson (Committee Chair), Dr. Peter Cruise (Vice-Chair), Brian Edwards, Aaron Augustus, Richard Bryan, Bill Arcuri, Michael Carroll, Johnny Castro, Angela Choice, Tom Corey, Dan Dalton, Jeff Garten, Marc Goodell, David Katz, James King, Jerold Klein, John Linden, Paul Markonni, Maxwell Nelson, Charlotte Rebillard, Pat Reilly, Sue Smith, Fred Solomon and Bubba Hamilton.
Participants confirmed to date include: American Legion 11th District Color Guard, American Legion Post 199, American Legion Post 268 Riders, American Legion Riders Post 258, Awesome Greyhound Adoptions – Hounds and Heroes, Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Blue Star Mothers of America – Treasure Coast Chapter, City of West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, City of West Palm Beach Police and Fire Departments, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Palm Beach County, DAR–Henry Morrison Flagler Chapter, East Coast Mustang Club, Enforcers MC, FL Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Florida Power & Light, Florida Public Utilities, Florida State Legislator Rep. Matt Willhite, Girl Scouts of America Troop 24313, Humana, Inlet Grove Marching Hurricanes, Knights of Columbus, Lake Worth High School Air Force Junior ROTC, No Boundaries Military, Inc., Mission BBQ, Molly’s Trolleys, NewDay USA, No Boundaries Military, NSA Entertainment, Office Depot, Palm Beach County Agent Orange, Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino, Palm Beach County Atlantic University, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, Palm Beach County Veteran Services, Palm Beach Harley Owners Group, Palm Beach Lakes Marine Corps JROTC, Palm Beach Makos Cheerleaders, Patriot Guard Riders, Project 425, Richard E. Cronan Chapter 17 – Korean War Veterans, Roosevelt Middle School Marching Band, Soul Movement, Sounds of Success Community Marching Band, South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, INC., Talented Teen Club, Team Red, White & Blue – West Palm Beach, The Salvation Army - Center of Hope Veterans, T-Mobile, Town of Palm Beach Fire Department, US Congresswoman Lois Frankel, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps - Jupiter/Langley Squadron, VA Medical Center, VFW 9610, WFTL, WIRK and Young Marines of the Palm Beaches.
The Veterans Day Parade is generously presented by NewDay USA and supported by the City of West Palm Beach. Gold sponsors are Florida Power & Light, Florida Public Utilities, and Schumacher Automotive Group. Silver sponsors are Humana, Office Depot, Tire Kingdom, and Palm Beach Kennel Club. Media sponsors include WIRK New Country 103.1 and 850 WFTL News Talk.
For more information, please contact Parade Coordinator Shanna St.John at sstjohn2@pbcveteranscommittee.org.
