VFW Post 8577 hosts annual Veterans Day Parade in Copperas Cove
By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
Families lined the streets waving their flags and cheering as parade floats, decorated vehicles, and various groups made their way through Copperas Cove, celebrating veterans with the annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday morning.
The Copperas Cove Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8577 (VFW) hosted the Veterans Day Parade for the 52nd year. In Central Texas, they are the only veteran group to host the Veterans Day Parade. The parade began at 10 a.m. at the VFW post on Veterans Avenue before making their way downtown onto Avenue D before ending up in the Cove Terrace parking lot.
Stephen Mondy served as an emcee and narrator for the parade. He said his favorite part of the parade is seeing all the families come out and especially the kids’ reactions to it all.
“I think it was wonderful,” said VFW Post Commander Ron Abrahamson. “We had a good turnout, and everything went smoothly.”
VFW Chairman of the Parade Daniel Sellers said that there were 32 entries in this year’s parade.
“The cooperation of the city as a whole—the City Council, the Fire Department, Police Department—was above and beyond. They make this not just a VFW parade, but a city parade. They really help a lot, and we have a lot of support from the City of Cove.”
The three judges for the event were Interim President for the Chamber of Commerce Nancy Nelson, Membership Director for the Chamber of Commerce Michelle Nicolaus, and volunteer Michael Miles.
“I think it’s great,” said Nancy Nelson about the parade. “It brings the community together. It represents the appreciation we have for veterans and the sacrifices they made to protect us all.”
“I think it’s very important since we live in a military community, and it lets veterans know that we appreciate them,” said Michelle Nicolaus. “I really just enjoy it all. Everyone is always in such a good mood during the parade and happy.”
Andrea Johnson brought her son, Lawrence Johnson (9) to watch the parade.
“I liked the police department,” said Lawrence who cheered wildly throughout most of the parade. “It was nice.”
“I love it, I really do,” said Johnson about the parade. “I hope that they continue doing it.”
Vanessa Mondy attended the event with her two children, Stephen (8) and Isabella (7) Mondy.
“We got so much candy!” cheered Stephen.
“I saw two of my friends!” said Isabella.
“It was fun,” said Vanessa Mondy. “It’s nice to come out and watch it. It’s a nice event to do locally.”
Cub Scout Pack 251 was one of many groups that participated in the parade. They had 15 scouts who attended and seven parents. Scout Troop 251 and Pack 251 are both sponsored by the VFW.
“We give back by participating in the parade by the VFW,” said George Covert, charter organization representative to BSA. Their group also participates in holiday events hosted by the VFW and puts up flags on the graves of veterans. Covert said that it’s important to him to provide these opportunities to the country’s youth and added that it’s important to continue to honor veterans and celebrate Veterans Day.
“It represents the freedoms and liberty that this country was founded on,” said Covert.