Tarrant County Veterans Council Officials and Veterans Day Parade Themes

 

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST ON THIS YEAR’S PARADE

 

(If you know any of the missing names, please let us know at tcvc@tcvc.us

 

 

 

2023 (Saturday, November 11, 2023)

Council President: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Chairperson: Ken Cox

Parade Theme: “TCU 150th Anniversary”

Grand Marshal:

Joseph Campbell

2022 (Friday, November 11, 2022)

Council President: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Chairperson: Ken Cox

Parade Theme: “Saluting Buffalo Soldiers”

Grand Marshal:

MG Anthony Woods

Commanding General of the Texas State Guard

 

2021 (Thursday, November 11, 2021)

Council President: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Chairperson: Ken Cox

Parade Theme: “Battlefront at Home”

Saluting Our Veterans & First Responders

Grand Marshal:

BETSY PRICE
Former Fort Worth Texas Mayor

 

2020 (Wednesday, November 11, 2020)

Council President: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Chairperson: Ken Cox

Parade Theme: “Veterans in Focus”

Saluting Disabled American Veterans Everywhere

Grand Marshal:

DENNIS NIXON
Former DAV National Commander

 

2019 (Monday, November 11, 2019)

Council President: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Chairperson: Ken Cox

Parade Theme: "Centennial Celebrations”

Grand Marshals:

Military Order of the World Wars: Robert J. Williams, Major, USAF (ret)

American Legion: Jeff Perkins, Senior Chief USCG (ret)

American Legion Auxiliary: Brenda Towers

City of Fort Worth: Dennis Shingleton, Colonel USA (ret)

 

2018 (Saturday, November 10, 2018)

Council President: Ken Cox

Parade Chairperson: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Theme: "The War to End All Wars”

Grand Marshal: Jim Hodgson, a Texas WWI Centennial Commemoration Director

 

2017 (Saturday, November 11, 2017)

Council President: Ken Cox

Parade Chairperson: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Theme: "Vietnam Letters from Home”

Grand Marshal: Kevin Farmer, 37th Postmaster of Fort Worth

 

2016 (Friday, November 11, 2016)

Council President: Ken Cox

Parade Chairperson: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Theme: "Honoring Blue and Gold Star Vietnam Veteran Families"

Grand Marshal: Shannon Spake, National League of POW/MIA Families. Her father, LCDR Dennis Pike, is MIA in Laos.

 

2015 (Wednesday, November 11, 2015)

Council President: Ken Cox

Parade Chairperson: Dan Zmroczek

Parade Theme: "Honoring our Vietnam Veterans on the 50th Anniversary of the War"

Grand Marshal: LTC Daniel Varnedore USMC (ret), His deployments encompassed three tours in Vietnam. Japan, The Philippines, Guam, Korea, and Quadguline

 

2014 (Tuesday, November 11, 2014)

Council President: Martin Agee, 3rd

Parade Chairperson: Ken Cox

Parade Theme: “Honoring Our Flag, 200th Anniversary of Our National Anthem”

Grand Marshal: LTC Lawrence K. Casey, Jr, President of the General Society of the War of 1812

 

2013 (Monday, November 11, 2013)

Council President: Martin Agee, 3rd

Parade Chairperson: Ken Cox

Parade Theme: “Honoring Medics and Corpsmen – Unsung Heroes”

Grand Marshal: Mark E. Peak former S/Sgt, Combat Medic, Haiti and Desert Storm

 

2012 (Saturday November 10, 2012)

Council President: Terry Bigley

Parade Chairperson: Martin Agee, 3rd

Parade Theme: “Honoring OEF / OIF Veterans”

Grand Marshal: BG Samuel L. Henry, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard

 

2011 (Friday, November 11, 2011)

Council President: Terry Bigley

Parade Chairperson: Martin Agee, 3rd

Parade Theme: “Honoring Combat Veterans”

Grand Marshal: Col Charles Kucera, USAF (ret), former Carswell AFB Commander

 

2010 (Thursday November 11, 2010)

Council President: Martin Agee, 3rd

Parade Chairperson: John McSpadden

Parade Theme: “Honoring Americas Citizen Soldiers”

Grand Marshal: Col. John Conoley, 136 Air Wing, Texas Air National Guard

 

2009 (Wednesday, November 11, 2009)

Council President: Martin Agee, 3rd

Parade Chairperson: John McSpadden

Parade Theme: “Honoring the Military History of Fort Worth”

          “A RICH HERITAGE – A RICH FUTURE”

Grand Marshal: (name and additional information needed)

 

2008 (Tuesday November 11, 2008)

Council President: Andy Birdsong

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: “Honoring Women in the Military; Past – Present – Future”

Grand Marshals:      Bertha Cruz Hall, Vietnam Era Air Force Veteran

                               ACCM Pamela Durrant, prior Command Master Chief, NAS JRB Fort Worth

                               JROTC Cadet Colonel Victoria Salazar

 

2007 (Saturday November 11, 2007)

Council President: Andy Birdsong

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: “Honoring a New Generation of Warriors” (copy of poster needed)

Grand Marshal: (name and additional information needed)

 

2006 (Saturday November 11, 2006)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: “Honoring our Fallen and Wounded Veterans” (Purple Heart)

Grand Marshal: (name and additional information needed)

 

2005 (Friday November 11, 2005)

Council President: Arthur McAvoy

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: “Heroes at Home” - Honoring Gold and Blue Star Families

Grand Marshals:  Gold Star Families

Grand Marshals: Freddy and Mary Medellin, Parents of Cpl. Marty Medellin

Deputy Grand Marshals:  The Eggers Family, Family of Sgt. Kyle Eggers

 

2004 (Thursday November 11, 2004)

Council President:  Herb Reynolds

Parade Chairperson: Harriet Wright

Parade Theme: Honoring “The Greatest Generation”

Grand Marshal:  Captain John J. McCormack, Commanding Officer, NAS Fort Worth JRB

Deputy Grand Marshal:  Colonel George B. Alden

 

2003 (Tuesday November 11, 2003)

Council President:  Arthur McAvoy

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: Saluting “Operation Iraqi Freedom Fighters” – news early – news later

Grand Marshal: Commander Shawn R. Grenier, Commanding Officer VFA-201 NAS JRB Fort Worth

Deputy Grand Marshals: 

Colonel Neil A. Rohan, Commanding Officer, 301st Fighter Wing USAFR

Colonel Jackie W. Vaughn, Commanding Officer, 136th Airlift Wing TXANG

Captain David J. Mahoney, COMFLESUPPWING

Commander William Snyder, Commanding Officer VR-59

Lt. Colonel Thomas F. Dietrich, Commanding Officer, VMGR-234

 

2002 (Saturday November 9, 2002) newspaper

Council President:  Arthur McAvoy

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: “Honoring Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Reserve and National Guard Forces”

Grand Marshal:   Captain Paul F. Paine, Commanding Officer NAS Fort Worth JRB

 

2001 (Saturday November 10, 2001)

Council President:  Arthur McAvoy

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: “Tarrant County Veterans Salute the Department of Veterans Affairs”

Grand Marshal: Alan Harper, Director of North Texas VA

 

2000 (Saturday November 11, 2000) (still looking for details)

Council President: 

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1999 (Thursday, November 11, 1999) (still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1998 (Wednesday, November 11, 1998)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: “The Stars And Stripes Forever Young”

Grand Marshal: Ben Collier, a 102-year-old veteran of World War I

For the first time in almost five decades, both of North Texas' largest cities will stage Veterans Day parades to honor those who served in war and peace.

In Dallas, it will be the first time since 1949 that the city has celebrated the day set aside to remember the sacrifices of American military personnel

 

1997 (Tuesday, November 11, 1997)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1996 (Monday, November 11, 1996)

Council President: Robert DeGarmo, council president and parade coordinator.

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: In Honor of Service

Grand Marshal: Brig. Gen. Daniel James III, Texas' adjutant general

 

1995 (Saturday November 11, 1995)

Council President: Herb O’Dell, American Legion District 12

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1994 (Friday, November 11, 1994)

Council President: Doyle Willis

Parade Chairperson: City Councilman Jim Lane

Parade Theme: Honoring Those Who Served in U.S. Armed Forces Over The Past 75 Years

Grand Marshal: State Representative Doyle Willis, D-Fort Worth, a decorated World War II veteran (Bronze Star).

 

1993 (Saturday, November 6, 1993)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: Honoring Korean War Veterans

Grand Marshal:

November 5, 1993

Veterans holiday to start early with parade tomorrow

FORT WORTH - Although Veterans Day does not take place until Thursday, downtown Fort Worth will have the look and feel of that holiday a few days early. At 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, war veterans, marching bands and two floats will be making their way through downtown for the annual Fort Worth Veterans Day Parade. With Korean War veterans being honored and new floats at this year's parade, organizers are hoping for a large turnout. "If we had it on a weekday, nobody would be out there

 

1992 (Saturday, November 7, 1992)

Council President: Tom Kemp (Air Force Association)

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: "Strength Through Family"

Grand Marshal:

 

1991 (Saturday, November 9, 1991)

Council President: Tom Kemp (Air Force Association)

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: "Veterans Serving the Community,"

Grand Marshal: Members of the Honor Guard of Carswell Air Force Base (the first time a group has been honored).

 

1990 (Saturday, November 10, 1990)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: Honoring Women in Uniform

Grand Marshal: Col Susan Fisher, Commander Carswell AFB

 

1989 (Saturday, November 11, 1989)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1988 (Friday, November 11, 1988)

World War II reenactment and ceremony

 

1988 (Saturday, November 12, 1988)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal: Bob Bolen, Fort Worth Mayor

 

1987 (Wednesday, November 11, 1987)

Statue dedication in Veterans Memorial Park

 

1987 (Saturday, November 7, 1987)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: Honoring Veterans and their Families

Grand Marshal:

 

1986 (Saturday, November 8, 1986)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1985 (Saturday, November 9, 1985)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme: Tribute to those that fought for the United States

Grand Marshal:

U.S. Navy Blue Angles fly over

 

1984 (Saturday, November 10, 1984)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson: Doyle Willis Sr.

Parade Theme: “In Honor of Veterans”

Grand Marshal: Fort Worth Police Captain C.L. Martin

 

1983 (pg 2) (Saturday, November 12, 1983)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson: Herb O’Dell

Parade Theme: “Honoring World War I Veterans”

Grand Marshal: Emanuel L. Young

 

1982 (Thurs) (November 11, 1982) (still looking for details)

[Parade committee formed to assure that their would always be a Veterans Day Celebration in Tarrant County]

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1981 (Wed)

Council President: Doyle Willis

Parade Chairperson: Doyle Willis

Parade Theme: NONE

Grand Marshal: NONE

 

From the Star Telegram

In 1981 the parade was canceled for lack of interest.

 “Veterans Day parades, like old soldiers, never die — they just fade away,” the Star-Telegram reported after the 1980 parade drew only a few hundred participants and spectators.

“There’s just not enough interest in it anymore,” said parade chairman and state Rep. Doyle Willis, a Bronze Star U.S. Army Air Corps intelligence officer in the Pacific in World War II and a past Veterans of Foreign Wars state commander.

The Star-Telegram had generously estimated the 1980 attendance as 1,500. Willis said the crowd was only 200, down from tens of thousands in the years after World War II.

The first Armistice Day parades in Fort Worth and elsewhere were in 1919, celebrating a year since the end of the yet-to-be-numbered World War.

In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day. For 95 out of 96 years, skipping 1981, Fort Worth has hosted an annual parade.

By 1980, the patriotism of World War II had waned and football was drawing crowds away from the then-Saturday parades, Willis said then.

The commander of one local VFW post said no one came “except winos sitting on the curb and a few construction people,” “It just breaks my heart,” Willis said.

When the parade was revived in 1982, organizers chose a regular Nov. 11 date. The crowd was estimated at 5,000-plus.

 

1980 (Tues) (still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1979 (Sun) (still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1978 (Sat) (still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1977 (Saturday, November 12, 1977)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson: Doyle Willis

Parade Theme: Honor of Tarrant County Heroes who have given their lives for our country and MIA’s

Grand Marshal: W.J. Hodges

 

1976(still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1975(still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1974(still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1973(still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1972(still looking for details)

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

1971(still looking for details)

Tarrant County Veterans Council Chartered

Council President:

Parade Chairperson:

Parade Theme:

Grand Marshal:

 

We are still researching Fort Worth history for additional information.

If you happen across an article or picture from one of the missing years please let us know.

Folklore has it that their has been a parade every year since 1918, but we need some proof.

 

1945

Fort Worth’s annual Armistice Day Parade on Main Street

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/404/rec/7

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/457/rec/83

 

1943 November 11, 1943

http://fortworthtexas.gov/flashback/?id=135608&terms=&searchtype=1&fragment=False http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/402/rec/46

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/401/rec/73

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/403/rec/84

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/400/rec/134

This 1943 view shows Fort Worth’s annual Armistice Day Parade proceeding southward on Main Street.

Armistice Day was a day of remembrance for those who served in World War I. In 1954, the day was officially extended to all veterans.

This shot was taken at the intersection of Sixth and Main streets in front of the current Ashton Hotel.

 

1941 November 11, 1941

Fort Worth’s annual Armistice Day Parade on Main Street

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/397/rec/13

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16084coll5/id/398

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/392/rec/20

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/399/rec/44

http://www.fold3.com/page/623216589_robert_evins_1920/photos/

 

1941 August 1941   

Fort Worth’s annual American Legion Parade on Main Street

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/396/rec/82

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/395/rec/90

I think I see Hubert on the reviewing stand.

 

1939 November 11, 1939

Fort Worth’s annual Armistice Day Parade on Main Street

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/381/rec/69

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/391/rec/118

 

1937 LaGrave Field

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/414/rec/75

 

1936 November 11, 1936

These 1936 photos show a float and bands in Fort Worth’s annual Armistice Day Parade on Main Street.

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/376/rec/18

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/374/rec/23

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/379/rec/45

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/373/rec/53

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/377/rec/76

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/378/rec/85

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/372/rec/122

http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16084coll5/id/375/rec/133

 

1928

TCU Magazine : Magazine Article

magazine.tcu.edu/Magazine/Article.aspx?ArticleId=584

Footage of a parade is believed to be the 1928 Armistice Day Parade in downtown Fort Worth. ... father Joe Lee Penry was a federal district judge in Fort Worth, ...

 

1918 November 11, 1918 Armistice Day Parade

The Ruth Dearmin Cooke photograph album portrays parade scenes in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, from 1918 to 1919. They include the review of the 36th Division, April 11, 1918; the Red Cross Parade, May 20, 1918; the Armistice Day Parade, November 11, 1918;

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utarl/02164/arl-02164.html

 

 

Personal observation

Arthur McAvoy

Star telegram archives

The Fort Worth Public Library http://cdm16084.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/searchterm/Parades