(Seguin) – Veterans Day traditions return this Wednesday, Nov. 11 in Seguin. Those traditions include the annual Veterans Day Parade and ceremony.
This year’s celebration returns to a familiar route, beginning in downtown Seguin and making its way to Veterans Park for the traditional Veterans Day ceremony. For the past two years, the event ceremony has been held at the Seguin Coliseum.
Rick Pena, of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 61, says the parade will step off at 10 a.m. from the downtown area, traveling west along Court Street before turning onto Erkel Avenue and continuing toward Veterans Park on Jefferson Avenue.
He says the annual ceremony follows at 11 a.m. Pena says the time is symbolic of the historic tradition of recognizing Veterans Day on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the end of World War I.
“Memorial Day when we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. This is to honor all veterans,” said Pena.
The ceremony at Veterans Park will include a local guest speaker, who organizers are keeping as a surprise, along with the presentation of colors and other tributes. Pena says the program is designed to be meaningful without being overly lengthy, with individual speeches lasting only a few minutes.
“This is open to all citizens, all residents of Guadalupe County and surrounding counties. We do it to honor the men and women who have served, past and present or are currently serving,” said Pena.
Pena says the local celebration may be smaller than some of the larger Veterans Day events, but it carries a special meaning for the community.
”Ours is small, but it’s intimate and it’s meaningful. We’ve had good support in the community,” said Pena.
He also recognized H-E-B for its continued support of the event, including providing snacks and water for the ceremony.
The Veterans Day celebration is coordinated through the local Veterans Council. Each year, the participating organizations take turns leading various annual observances such as Memorial Day and POW/MIA.
Other Veterans Day ceremonies are also scheduled in the community on Wednesday. The Navarro ISD will host its ceremony reception at 8:45 a.m. in the high school cafeteria followed by its Veterans Day program at 9:15 a.m. in the Navarro High School Preforming Arts Center. The Marion ISD is also hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Veterans Stadium. In the Seguin ISD, local campuses will be hosting their own respective ceremonies honoring families and staff members.