Citizens Group Saves Springfield's Veterans Day Parade
By: Lindsay Clein
Updated: September 14, 2012
Event though it will cost about $4,000, some dedicated residents and veterans are making sure the Veterans Day Parade goes forward this November.
"We're gonna make the parade happen and honor all the veterans," says veteran Mike Cook.
It's all mixed together in an annual tradition that one local group of citizens says must continue.
"We still need to do what we can to thank the guys that put their lives on the line," says Cook. "Getting everybody involved gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling."
Cook says the City of
"The bigger thing we need now is community participation to get more people in the parade. We're going to set it up to where people can get elderly and/or disabled veterans in the parade."
And they're looking for anything patriotic.
"We're looking for anything
patriotic floats -- any kind of bands from local schools."
The group has received plenty of support from local businesses and the Greene County Sheriff's Office is providing free security.
"It's wonderful," says veteran Will Napier. "I love to see the community involved with the recognition the vets need and deserve that's what they stood for."
The patriotic parade is just one way
people in
"It represents the public honoring past, present, and future vets," says veteran Bill St. Gemme.
"It means something to the vets that they do because we don't feel we deserve anything, but it's nice to be patted on the back," says Cook.
Click here to learn more about getting involved. You can learn to become a sponsor or participant, or enter someone's name for the parade to honor.
Any leftover money from the parade will be donated to local veteran causes.
The parade
will be held
