Alabama Honors Veterans With Parades and Tributes

TL;DR: Alabama communities are honoring veterans with parades, ceremonies and music on Nov. 11. Montgomery’s main celebration is Saturday, Nov. 14.

Veterans Day recognizes all those who have served their country, both in war and peace. It is celebrated on November 11 every year, to mark the day that fighting in World War I ended. Originally celebrated as Armistice Day, Congress renamed the holiday in 1954 to honor veterans of all wars.

Across Alabama, that tribute takes the form of downtown parades, quiet ceremonies, patriotic concerts and meals shared with veterans and their families. Most events fall on Wednesday, Nov. 11, though several communities have programs planned later in the week.

All times listed below are Central. Also, while every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of the following information, readers are encouraged to confirm the times and locations through local sources.

Birmingham’s 79th National Veterans Day Parade is set to begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday downtown. The published event window runs through 4:30 p.m. The parade will proceed rain or shine.

In Huntsville, the annual Veterans Day Parade starts at 11:11 a.m. Wednesday downtown. The City of Huntsville says road closures begin at 8 a.m. near the Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial and along Holmes Avenue. The rest of the parade route closes by 10:30 a.m., so spectators should arrive early.

Other North Alabama observances include:

• Tuscumbia: American Legion Post 31’s Veterans Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday downtown.
• Florence: The Florence-Lauderdale Veterans Day Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Park, 301 Veterans Park Drive. Seating is limited; guests should bring lawn chairs.
• Athens: A Veterans Appreciation Luncheon runs 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, 114 W. Pryor St. Retired Army Col. Steve A. Erickson is the speaker. Advance reservations were required by Nov. 6.

Tuscaloosa’s Veterans Day Program begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Park, 1701 McFarland Blvd. E. Retired Army Maj. Gen. Charles H. Gailes Jr. is the keynote speaker. The program is free.

Anniston has two public tributes on Wednesday. An 11 a.m. ceremony takes place at Centennial Memorial Park, 225 Ken Rollins Way.

The Calhoun County Veterans Day Parade follows at 2 p.m. on Noble Street downtown. The City of Anniston says floats, marching bands, community groups and veterans’ groups will take part.

Auburn’s ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Monument, at Ross Street and Glenn Avenue. In case of bad weather, the event moves to the Auburn Council Chamber.

Mobile’s schedule stretches from early morning into the evening:

• 7 a.m.: Flag raising at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
• 10 a.m.: Annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Mobile.
• Noon: Veterans Day Luncheon at Fort Whiting Armory. Guests should check admission arrangements with the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission.
• 3–4 p.m.: Veterans Day Celebration and Parade of Flags at Battleship Memorial Park’s Aircraft Pavilion. The program includes patriotic music, student essay winners and fourth-graders carrying flags.
• 7–9 p.m.: Mobile Pops Veterans Day Concert at the park’s Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion, featuring military marches, patriotic music and recognition of veterans.

The tributes continue after the holiday.

In Tuscaloosa, a ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park Cemetery, 5434 Old Birmingham Highway, includes a wreath laying, rifle salute and Taps.

Montgomery’s Veterans Day Celebration and Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Central Alabama Montgomery VA Clinic, off Chantilly Parkway. The parade starts at 10 a.m., followed by a resource fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a 1 p.m. ceremony. The 151st Army National Guard Band will perform. The celebration also includes military displays, entertainment and family activities.

In Dothan, Harley-Davidson of Dothan hosts a Veterans Day Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9:30–11 a.m., at 2418 Ross Clark Circle. Visit Dothan lists the gathering as a morning of food and fellowship honoring veterans.

Baldwin County’s main parades in Fairhope and Bay Minette were held Saturday, Nov. 7. The City of Fairhope named retired Col. Michael Bowman as its parade’s grand marshal. Bay Minette’s event included ceremonies at Courthouse Square and the public library.