TEXARKANA - With predicted rain holding off, coupled with morning temperatures holding up, the annual Texarkana Veterans Day Parade marked another successful showing Saturday.
Starting at 11 a.m. at East Broad and Hazel streets, the parade, which included local and area civic organizations, churches, antique cars and business floats, all led by the Texas High School Marching Band, proceeded down East Broad Street, crossing to Texas Boulevard. From there, paraders marched north to West Third Street before heading east to North State Line Avenue, then turned north on State Line before going east on East Fourth Street before finally dispersing around the Miller County Courthouse.
With this year marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Disabled American Veterans organization, this year's parade theme became "Disabled American Veterans - 100 Years."
For the Rev. Don Ellis, who has been serving as chaplain for the local American Legion Post 25-58, the parade's theme seemed well fitting.
"I served during Operation Desert Storm and I ride DAV Transport van down to Shreveport with other veterans for medical visits," Ellis said. "My dad was in World War II but he was stationed at Long Beach the whole time."
Zelda Mack, who served in Germany conducting distant communications during the Persian Gulf War, said the DAV has had amazing longevity.
"I thank the DAV for all the support they've give our veterans, for so many years, and we will always need them," she said.
Hooks, Texas, resident Larry David, who is a local member of the Texarkana Chapter No. 278 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, said he enjoys looking at the parade's vintage automobile year after year.
"My first car was a 1957 Chevrolet," he said. "My dad sold it to me and I drove it on dates and drove him wherever he needed to be, since he was a salesman."