👥 Who: The City of Niceville, local businesses, community members, and military installations
•🎉 What: Niceville’s first Veterans Day Parade and community celebration
•📅 When: Saturday, November 9, 2024; Parade at 10 a.m., community event starting at 8 a.m.
•📍 Where: Parade route along John Sims Parkway and Partin Drive; community celebration at Central Partin, 120 Partin N
•🇺🇸 Why: To honor and show appreciation for veterans, educate the community, and bring families together for a day of remembrance and celebration
Every year on November 11th, Americans come together to honor our veterans. Veterans Day, and its surrounding holiday weekend, is a time to reflect on the dedication, bravery, and sacrifices of the women and men who have served in the United States Armed Forces. But beyond the parades, flag ceremonies, and moments of silence, why is it important to observe this day?
Veterans Day originated from Armistice Day, or the truce, between the Allied nations and Germany which took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. In 1938, Armistice Day became an official U.S. holiday, dedicated to the cause of world peace and honoring World War I veterans. However, after World War II and the Korean War, it became clear that the holiday should include veterans of all conflicts. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day, expanding its meaning to recognize veterans of all U.S. wars.
It’s a day to remember the personal sacrifices of our veterans. Many of these individuals left behind their homes, families, and careers to serve a cause greater than themselves. Taking a day to honor them is a way of acknowledging not only their sacrifices but also their bravery. Additionally, the day allows families, friends, and communities to express gratitude for the freedom and security that many take for granted.
Observing Veterans Day is also important because it helps us teach younger generations about the price of freedom. By participating in ceremonies or simply taking time to learn about veterans’ stories, we pass down respect and admiration for those who have defended our great nation.
There are many meaningful ways to honor veterans on this day. Attending a local Veterans Day ceremony or parade, visiting a war memorial, or taking part in a moment of silence at 11 a.m. can be powerful gestures. Many communities hold ceremonies, often with veterans as speakers, where we can hear firsthand accounts of service and sacrifice.
That is why the City of Niceville made the decision to host its first Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 9, 2024, starting at 10am. The parade is expected to follow the same route that the annual Christmas Parade follows. You can expect road closures and adjusted lanes on Partin Drive and John Sims Pkwy. There will be markers identifying the lane adjustments and road closures with normal traffic expected to resume around noon.
The community seems to have joined in the same spirit as the City of Niceville has with locally owned businesses coming together to create a family friendly community event in the heart of Niceville. Central Partin, located at 120 Partin N, is hosting a Veterans Day event during and after the parade to show its appreciation to the city and community for honoring our Veterans. PB & J Bistro and Bayou Pub will be providing specials for the day. The Pub, veteran owned, will have mimosas at the ready, while PB & J will have samples of their soft pretzels with beer cheese ready to go. Music by John McKinney, retired Air Force, will be on tap while the local installations will be providing some amazing displays. Duke Field will have a MRZR on display, 7th Group will have a weapons display, and Ranger Battalion will have a reptile display.
Event Info:
City of Niceville Veterans Day Parade
10am
John Sims Pkwy & Partin Drive N
Central Partin Veterans Day Party
8am until
120 Partin N
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