By Spc. Anthony Bryant
Members of the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard lead the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade down Tejon Street in downtown Nov. 4. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
COLORADO SPRINGS — Spectators lined Tejon Street in downtown Saturday to honor veterans during the annual Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade.
“Celebrating Military Milestones” was the theme for this year’s parade in celebration of several significant military anniversaries including the 4th Infantry Division’s centennial, which coincides with America’s entrance into World War I and the impetus for the creation of the “Ivy” Division.
Soldiers from the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard led the parade as they held flags steadfast in the blustering wind pervading the city. Garrison Commander Col. Ronald P. Fitch Jr., who was honored as one of two parade grand marshals, and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. David Burton rode their motorcycles in the parade.
Garrison Commander Col. Ronald P. Fitch Jr., right, a grand marshal of the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade, and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. David Burton ride their motorcycles in the downtown parade Nov. 4. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert J. Skinner, deputy commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, was the other grand marshal.
Among the first groups in the parade’s lineup was the 4th Infantry Division Band, directly followed by a formation of nearly 100 Soldiers from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div. More than 90 organizations, contributing thousands of participants, marched down the mile-long stretch between St. Vrain Street and Vermijo Avenue displaying their support of veterans.
“Especially on this day, seeing such a great presence out here really means a lot to the guys who served,” said Retired Sgt. 1st Class James Mahurin, an Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veteran and former 4th Inf. Div. Soldier. “It does make a difference seeing that type of support, especially from active-duty service members.”
The 4th Infantry Division Band marches in the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade Nov. 4 in downtown Colorado Springs ahead of about 100 Soldiers from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
Parade entries included area high school marching bands, Junior ROTC programs and Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts. The parade was a combined effort between veterans, active-duty service members and the Colorado Springs community at large to celebrate veterans.
The Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade started in 2000 by a group of veterans whose mission was to honor all veterans and to educate and inspire community awareness while paying tribute to the service and sacrifices veterans have endured in the pursuit of freedom.
The Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade has rekindled a great tradition where veterans are enthusiastically cheered as they walk down Tejon
Street, said Lonny L.J. Barrett, parade executive assistant and 20-year Navy veteran. He said veterans come from all over southern Colorado to participate in the parade.
“It’s rewarding to be able to organize and launch an event like this every year,” said Barrett. “There’s no better feeling than seeing all your hard work be appreciated, not only by the veterans, but (also) by the community.”
The 4th Infantry Division Band and an element of nearly 100 Soldiers from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., march in the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade Nov. 4 in downtown Colorado Springs. The Veterans Day parade is designed to honor all veterans and to educate and inspire community awareness while paying tribute to the service and sacrifices veterans have endured in the pursuit of freedom. Spectators lined Tejon Street to observe thousands of participants from 90 different organizations march in the annual parade. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)