October 30, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Philadelphia Veterans Parade on Nov. 8 promises to be a spectacular event with a jump by a parachute team, cadets from the Naval and Military academies, the Philadelphia City Troop Calvary, Buffalo Soldiers, a 30-by-60-foot flag, military vehicles and several junior ROTC groups.

A total of 175 organizations and individuals have registered for the parade. The actual number of participants could range as high as 2,400, depending on how many show up with various groups on parade day. Registration has closed.

“We’re focused right now on bringing all the elements of the parade together and communicating with the participants,” noted Scott Brown, executive director of the Philadelphia Advisory Commission, which is overseeing the parade and the veterans committee organizing it. “We knew it would be a big deal when we first suggested it, but overall response has been tremendous and the first-ever city-wide veterans parade will be a spectacular event.”

The parade, which starts at noon at S. Broad and Walnut streets, will focus on veterans of all eras from the tri-state region (PA/NJ/DE). It will also commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II, the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam and the 25th Anniversary of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Special recognition will be accorded for individual representatives of all Armed Services from all wars, including Tuskegee airmen, Montford Point Marines and Pearl Harbor survivors.

Brown asked for patience from those participating as the parade committee organizes the line of march, address parking issues, staging, assembly and many other details. The committee will communicate information to the groups as soon as it becomes available. A good source of information will continue to be the web site at www.phillyveteransparade.org and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/phillyvetparade/.

The parade will include military units, civic and youth groups, businesses, high school marching bands and about 250 motorcyclists. A special feature of the parade in anticipation of the Army/Navy Game on Dec. 12 will be representation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy.

The All Veterans Parachute Team will drop in front Independence Hall at about 12:30 p.m. as one of the kick-off elements for the event. The Buffalo Soldiers of the 38th Infantry Regiment will participate, as will numerous American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Vietnam Veterans of America posts.

The one-mile parade travels north from S. Broad and Walnut streets around City Hall and then east on Market Street before ending at Independence Mall.

The parade’s primary supporters are Congressman Bob Brady and Council President Darrell Clarke. The effort also is supported by H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, noted philanthropist and owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who Congressman Bob Brady contacted immediately after he was approached by the commission.

Lenfest, who served on Navy destroyers during the Korean War, already is a patron of the Greater Philadelphia Traditions Fund, which supports 13 other parades and festivals in the city, including the Mummer’s Parade. Also endorsing the parade is Army veteran and Councilman David Oh and PA Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.