Grapevine residents gathered on a clear, sunny Saturday, Nov. 7, for the city’s annual Veterans Day parade along the Historic Main Street District. Families waved American flags and signs as floats, classic cars and trucks rolled by, honoring the men and women who have served the United States.
Among the cheering crowd was 74‑year‑old local Barbara Cramer, who said, “I really believe that we should honor our veterans just about every day. I love this tradition, and it’s such a great town and community.” Her neighbor, 9‑year‑old Scarlett Bierd, received a bag of candy from the passing vehicles and smiled broadly, adding, “I liked actually seeing real veterans in person. Thank you, veterans, for your service, and thank you for protecting us, making us get to how we are now.”
Parade Highlights
The procession showcased a diverse array of participants, including first‑responders, Coast Guard members, Boy Scouts, American Heritage Girls and other youth groups. Many handed out red poppies and American flags to onlookers, reinforcing the patriotic spirit of the day.
Mike Sivers, head of the Honor Guard that led the parade and a Vietnam veteran, explained the distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day: “Memorial Day is for veterans who lost their life while in uniform; Veterans Day is for any man or woman that wore the uniform and served the country honorably.” He urged the public to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans rather than treating the holiday as merely a day off.
Community Festival and Music
After the parade, attendees moved to a nearby festival area where classic American fare—hamburgers and hot dogs—was served. The musical entertainment was provided by Guitars for Heroes, an all‑veteran band that performed crowd‑pleasing songs such as “Margaritaville” and “God Bless the USA.”
County‑Wide Veterans Day Events
Grapevine’s celebration is part of a broader Tarrant County effort to honor veterans. Several cities and organizations have scheduled free events:
- Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade: 11 a.m., Nov. 11, beginning near Belknap Street and circling the Tarrant County Courthouse.
- Veterans Day Mixer at Album Keller Ranch: 1‑2 p.m., Nov. 11, Album Keller Ranch, 5640 Keller Ranch Road.
- Women Veterans Leadership & Wellness Summit: 11 a.m., Nov. 14, Texas Wesleyan University, Oneal‑Sells Administration Building.
- National Medal of Honor Museum Activities: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Nov. 11, with a fireside chat at 4:30 p.m., 1861 AT&T Way.
- Arlington Veterans Day Parade & Drone Show: Nov. 11, parade during the day and drone show in the evening, near the National Medal of Honor Museum area.
- Arlington KOA Holiday Rock Painting: Nov. 14, 2715 S. Cooper St.
- Kennedale Veterans Day Festival: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Nov. 11, Kennedale Municipal Building, 405 Municipal Drive.
- Azle Veterans Day Ruck & Roll: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Nov. 14, Annunziato Jiu Jitsu, 118 S. Stewart St., Building 1.
All events are free and open to the public, providing numerous opportunities for residents across Tarrant County to recognize and thank their veterans.
These celebrations reflect the community’s deep respect for those who have served and underscore the importance of honoring their sacrifices not only on Veterans Day but throughout the year.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
