TVHS Veterans Day Parade Salutes Local Heroes

“I can remember being on the sidelines in a small town in northeast Iowa, watching my dad, who was an Army Veteran from the Korean War. I remember being so proud watching him and his other colleagues who had served in Vietnam and other wars, like World War II, walking down that main street,” said Daniel Dücker, TVHS Executive Director.

The pre-parade festivities were hosted by Will Cosby, TVHS Organizational Development Acting Designated Learning Officer, who took to the microphone as emcee and introduced the parade’s musical guest: Afton Tutson. Tutson, a gospel recording artist and founder of Faithway Records, performed several songs to get the crowd warmed up – including an inspiring performance of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Following the national anthem, Dr. Erin Coomes, TVHS Acting Associate Director for Resources, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and TVHS Chaplain James Ward performed the invocation.

Dücker, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Veteran who served for nearly 34 years, provided opening remarks at the start of the parade to honor Veterans, their families, and the community.

“[Veterans Day] is an annual federal holiday that celebrates and remembers all who have served in the military, both in wartime and peacetime,” Dücker said. “That's true for us here at VA as well. We don't just serve folks who have been in combat. We serve folks who have served, whether they've served one day and have been injured, or if they've served a career like myself.” 

TVHS has served Veterans since WWI when Alvin C. York VA Medical Center opened in the 1940s and continues to provide world-class care to Veterans today. TVHS is one of the fastest-growing VAs in the nation, serving and supporting Veterans in middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky, and northern Georgia.

“I am honored to serve in my role with nearly 5,000 staff serving 140,000 Veterans over 20 plus facilities. I can share with you that, as proud as I am of my military service, I am equally proud to continue to serve with the men and women of TVHS, and my commitment to the Army values and warrior ethos continues today,” Dücker said.  
 
Russ Brown, a retired master sergeant with the Air Force, provided a flyover with smoke over Alvin C. York VA Medical Center to officially kick the parade’s start. The parade featured color guards, antique vehicles, community organizations, floats, and more. Veterans of all ages, from World War II to present day, were honored and thanked for their service to the country.

The parade even had a special guest, Edwin Bell. Bell, who was presented a certificate of appreciation from Dücker, served in WWII as part of a crew on a B-17 Flying Fortress and continued his military service for more than 20 years.

“Today brought back a lot of great memories,” Bell said, who turned 101 this year.

Bell also said that being part of the parade reminded him of his trips to Alvin C. York VA Medical Center to visit his uncle, a WWI Veteran, while he received his care here.

Dozens of hours of work in planning, preparation, and execution, by employees and community members from TVHS made sure the event kicked off without an issue. When the final float and horse crossed the finish line, the main parade officially ended for this year – but the memories will last a lifetime.

“I would love to be part of the parade next year too,” Bell said.