WWII veterans, judge to be honored during Detroit Veterans Day Parade

Nov. 9 event to proceed down Woodward Avenue

DETROIT – Those who fought in World War II will be among those honored this Nov. 9 when the 8th Annual Veterans Day Parade is held in downtown Detroit.

The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. at Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 9, located at 2951 Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

The parade will proceed down Woodward Avenue to Comerica Park and back.

"Each year, we try to get more individuals in this region to understand about and pay tribute to the many men and women who helped to keep our country safe," said R. Michael "Mike" Sand, President of the VVA Detroit Chapter 9. "We encourage the public to be a part of this special day."

While the day honors all veterans, parade organizers said special recognition will be given to WWII vets and Circuit Court Judge Craig Strong. Drafted in 1971, Strong served as the only African American in the Navy Marine Corps Trial Judiciary at that time.

The event is put on by the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition.

Others participating in the parade include veteran groups from around the state, Junior Reserve ROTC members from 25 Detroit high schools and the Southfield-Lathrup High Schools Choir.

The parade is also done in honor of the national holiday, Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11. The holiday recognizes America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve.

The date is tied to the end of World War I, when parade organizers said fighting between the Allied nations and Germany took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

For more information, go to DetroitVeteransDayParade.org.