Published: November 06, 2009 07:55 am      

Veterans Day events set for Saturday

Saturday’s Veterans Day Parade Program

Crystal Brown

cbrown@weatherforddemocrat.com

Veterans Day celebrations start early this year in Weatherford.

The annual Parker County Veterans Day Parade is set Saturday following a patriotic program at the Weatherford High School football stadium located on South Main at the Ninth Grade Center.

The program, hosted by Parker County American Legion Post 163, will start at 9:45 a.m., with the parade expected to start about 10:30 a.m., signaled by an F-16 fly over.

Legion commander Ron Chandler said State Representative Phil King will conduct an enlistment ceremony at the event followed by speakers to include Congresswoman Kay Granger, Weatherford Mayor Dennis Hooks, Parker County Judge Mark Riley, County Commissioner Joe Brinkley, Weatherford ISD school board member and Col. Kim Olson (Ret.) and grand marshal Staff Sgt. Gary Robinson. Former speaker of the house Jim Wright may also say a few words, Chandler said.

Chandler said a B25 bomber may also make a fly over during the parade that will start at the Ninth Grade Center, pass by an observation stand at the stadium before looping back to Eureka and onto Main Street to take the usual parade pattern toward the courthouse.

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11.



9:45 a.m.

Opening Remarks: Ron Chandler, Commander, Parker County American Legion Post 163

Chuck Katlic – Chaplain, American Legion Post 163

Invocation: Dr. Charles W. Wetherbee, pastor of Victory Baptist Church

Jessica Favata - National Anthem

Master of Ceremonies – MSgt. Vernon Jones, USMC (Ret.)

Special Guest Introductions:

Weatherford Mayor Dennis Hooks

Parker County Judge Mark Riley

Joe Brinkley, Parker County Commissioner, Pct. 2

Dr. Jim Messinger PhD, Vietnam Memorial Museum, Mineral Wells

State Representative Phil King – Legionnaire of Mineral Wells

Congresswoman Kay Granger 12th District of Texas

Col. Kim Olson US Air Force (Retired)

Representative Jim Wright – Honorary Grand Marshall

Gary Robinson SSgt Texas Army National Guard – Grand Marshall

God Bless America: Jessica Favata

10:30 a.m.

Parade kicks off with F-16 Fly-Over by the 457th Fighter Squadron

MC calls the floats/events with 2nd Vice Commander Bill Mallory