Veterans Day Parade 2024 Coverage

Introduction

Every year, Winchester holds a Veterans Day parade to honor all veterans of the past and present. The parade features Winchester students and adults, ranging from kindergarteners to elderly veterans. This year, there was a particularly beautiful program. Certain members of the McCall Paper participated in the parade themselves, and can give an accurate eye-witness account of how it went. If you reluctantly couldn't make it to the Winchester Veterans Day parade, or would like a recap, this information can surely fill you in.

Getting Started

The Veterans Day Parade began at 10:00 a.m. McCall's own Jubilation Singers walked towards the back of the parade! They were dressed in all black, with red scarves. In front of them were some Winchester girl scouts of the Daisy rank. The girl scouts were truly adorable. Winchester veterans walked in the parade too. These people, along with other various groups, traveled through the streets of Winchester downtown as patriotic music was played by a band. 

When the parade reached Lincoln Elementary, everyone stopped for a brief presentation. A few gunshots were theatrically shot, much to the surprise of McCall students. Some of the Jubilation singers expressed in the moment that they had never heard a gunshot before. Winchester veterans stood around a statue on the Lincoln grounds, some in uniform. The presentation was only a few minutes long. 

The Main Ceremony

Once that portion of the parade's program was complete, everybody walked over to the veterans memorial next to Winchester Town Hall. This was the parade's final destination. Now, a series of acts and speeches commenced. The presentation began in an optional prayer. There were later performances with bagpipes, scouts, and speeches. 

One man told a particularly moving story about his ancestors' work in the U.S. military. Although he himself was not a veteran, the past three generations of men in his family were. His father, grandfather, and great grandfather were all veterans, each of them with many awards. He described their individual journeys, from immigrating to the U.S. to taking care of their families after their service. The audience respectfully listened throughout the entire speech. 

After that, McCall's Jubilation singers performed their act! As they do every year, the show choir sang an a cappella version of God Bless America. They sang in harmony, and although the performance was short, it was very well received. The song was dedicated, of course, to veterans. By the end of the days' program, many moved tears had been shed. It was a truly successful program.

In Closing

This year's Veterans day parade was undoubtedly a triumphant one. But, although Winchester's Veterans Day parade is an important way to honor veterans, they should be honored every day. McCall Paper sincerely thanks all Veterans past and present for their service. Their work takes such deep bravery.