October 12th, 2022
Monroe County’s first-ever Veterans Day parade to be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today announced Monroe County will hold its first-ever Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 12, 2022. The parade will kick-off at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue and proceed up Highland Avenue to the Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial on South Avenue in Gary Beikirch Memorial Park.
“The bravery and service of our veterans ensure we are the greatest country in the world. In Monroe County, it’s time to honor their service and sacrifice,” said County Executive Bello. “I encourage all Monroe County residents to join us November 12 for the county’s first Veterans Day Parade to celebrate and honor the heroes in our community.”
“Though we can never fully repay the debt we owe our veterans, we can start by celebrating our local service members—past and present—who have given so much in defense of our country,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m grateful to County Executive Bello for bringing the Veterans Day Parade to Monroe County to honor these courageous men and women who have served our great nation with distinction.”
“The City of Rochester is proud to partner in Monroe County’s first Veterans Day Parade, and to join in celebrating the men and women who have served in our military, putting themselves at risk to serve our country,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “A parade is a great way to draw attention to the veterans in our community and to show the younger generation that these men and women deserve our honor and respect.”
Longtime radio host Alan “Brother Wease” Levin — who served three tours with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War — will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. The parade will include musical marching units, veterans’ service organizations, law enforcement, military-style vehicles, high-ranking active duty service members and groups representing veterans of all eras and military branches.
A family-oriented Honor Ceremony featuring music and local food vendors will immediately follow at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
“I’m so glad Monroe County is taking the lead on bringing the Veterans Day parade to Rochester,” said Veterans Outreach Center Executive Director Laura Stradley. “Time and again, the county shows this community that they stand behind our veterans, and I commend both County Executive Bello and Nick Stefanovic for all they do to deliver on that promise throughout the year.”
“We are excited to partner with Monroe County, Monroe County’s Veterans Service Agency and the Veterans Outreach Center to commemorate this inaugural celebration of service and sacrifice with our veteran community,” said VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System Acting Medical Director Shawn De Fries. “We encourage all veterans to join in on the celebration, and look forward to the opportunity to meet new veterans, provide education and assist them with enrolling in our healthcare services.”
Organizations interested in joining the Veterans Day Parade and Honor Ceremony must complete the participation application found on Monroe County’s website: https://www.monroecounty.gov/vsa-parade.
