BRISTOL, Va. – Retired Army Staff Sgt. Joe Cunningham, who spent more than a year as an infantryman in Vietnam during the 1960s – and many Novembers since marching in Bristol’s Veterans Day events – said Wednesday that spectators should take a simple thought away from watching Saturday’s downtown veterans parade.
“I just hope people will come to appreciate what our past and present soldiers have done to serve this country, especially those who have paid the ultimate price for it,” said Cunningham, who served in the 101st Airborne Division.
“We’re going to have veterans marching who have served in every war since World War II, including Iraq and Afghanistan. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the World War II veterans, who can still get around a bit, will be out there, too,” he said.
Richard Ball, longtime parade chairman and a retired Air Force veteran, said Saturday’s parade is a chance for area veterans and Bristol’s community to recognize each other’s role in keeping America strong.
“Not only is the parade about showing respect to veterans, it’s a time for veterans to show respect to the community for its support and love for those who are called to duty,” said Ball, who was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
“We don’t take part in this parade because we want people running up to us, patting us on our backs,” he said. “But it’s nice to be recognized, every once in awhile, for our service.”
Saturday’s Veterans Day parade, sponsored annually by Bristol’s Fraternal, Veterans and Civic Council, begins at 10 a.m., and will travel from Morrison Boulevard to downtown Bristol on State Street.
The parade’s marshal is Christopher Jones, who owns Sidetrack Tobacco Shop on State Street and recently retired from the Navy after 20 years.
The featured speaker will be James Beaver, an Abingdon resident and military chaplain who was a prisoner of war during the Korean War.
At 11 a.m., marchers and spectators will gather for a memorial service at the Bristol War Memorial in Cumberland Square Park.
Cunningham, a past Bristol Fraternal, Veterans and Civic Council president, said the parade gives all of the area’s veteran and military groups a chance to gather and show the city, as one, the huge role Bristol has played in serving and defending America.
“We usually have several hundred veterans taking part in the parade, and I don’t expect this Saturday to be any different,” Cunningham said. “It’s really a wonderful, inspiring sight.”
Ball said some 60 to 75 military units are expected to be represented in the Bristol Veterans parade, which dates back some 60 years.
For more information on taking part in Saturday’s parade, contact Ball at (276) 466-4009.
rbrown@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2512
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