Northern Alabama Veterans Day Parade Celebrates Those Who Serve

By Mr. Marco Morales (SMDC/ARSTRAT)November 13, 2009

USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
1 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The North Alabama Veterans Day parade color guard, representing U.S. flags and uniforms of previous military campaigns, posts the colors before the playing of our National Anthem in front of the main reviewing area at the Veterans Memorial Park locat... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
2 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – LTG Kevin T. Campbell, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (center), the reviewing officer for the parade, takes a few moments in between parade reviewing officer duties to talk with Boy Scots... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
3 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Alabama A&M University marching band leads the parade entries as they take a momentary break between musical selections. This unit was one of seven marching bands that participated in this year’s North Alabama Veterans Day Parade Nov. 11 in down... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
4 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 832nd Ordnance Battalion lead a long line of active duty troops assigned to Redstone Arsenal, Ala., as they approach the Veterans Memorial Park reviewing stand during the Nov. 11 North Alabama Veterans Day Parade in downtown Huntsvi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
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USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
6 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – LTG Kevin T. Campbell (2nd from left), commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command and his Command Sergeant Major, CSM Ralph Borja, (far right), pose with two amateur boxers during this year’s North A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
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USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
8 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – LTG Kevin T. Campbell (right), commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command and his Command Sergeant Major, CSM Ralph Borja, (left), applaud one of the more than 100 entries in this year’s North Alabam... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
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USASMDC/ARSTRAT Veterans Day 2009 - Huntsville, Ala.
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The Northern Alabama Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 11, 2009) was set aside to thank and honor all men and women who served honorably in the military Aca,!" in wartime or in peacetime. The Veterans Day parade in Huntsville, the second largest in Alabama, is intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served Aca,!" not only those who died Aca,!" have sacrificed and done their duty.

This year's parade route ran about two miles long through downtown Huntsville. The key Reviewing Officer for the parade was Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, accompanied by his wife Kathy Campbell, and CSM Ralph C. Borja and his wife Nyuet Borja, who enjoyed parade from the Reviewing Stand at the Veterans Memorial Park. More than 100 parade entries participated, including seven marching bands and 800-plus Soldiers from Redstone Arsenal marching as part of their units of assignment.

The North Alabama Veterans Day Parade committee has placed increasing emphasis on the Veterans Memorial Park location for the past several years. The City of Huntsville changed the name of the park from "Gateway ParkAca,!A? to Veterans Memorial Park several years ago. The future Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial will be erected at the intersection of Monroe and Jefferson streets. The memorial will be a living record of our veterans from all previous wars and future wars. The park is currently a focal point for all veteranAca,!a,,cs activities Aca,!" past, present, and future.

Two other key events preceded the parade, a dinner on Nov. 10 and a VIP breakfast the morning of the parade. Both events were conducted at the Von Braun Center's North Hall in Huntsville, where the Madison County Heritage Commission inducted the 2009 Hall of Heroes. The George A. Rauh Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart also recognized and inducted Purple Heart recipients. Additionally, 36 wounded warriors, returning from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, were honored and recognized.