Register by Oct. 29 for parade to honor Delaware women veterans

Women veterans residing in Delaware will be honored and recognized in multiple ways Saturday, Nov. 3, with the annual Veterans Parade in Dover, a monument dedication, lapel pins and a special license plate.

Although women veterans will be highlighted in the parade, it will be open to all veterans. More than 50 groups have already signed up and more are welcome, according to parade coordinator Colinda Marker.

Bands from Delaware State University; Dover, Smyrna, Newark Charter and Thomas McKean high schools; Holy Cross school band and Citizens Hose band; and Delaware Tech Drumline will march in the parade. Only elected officials may participate, and no political identification or campaigning will be permitted in the parade.

Ellen Schaffer, a veteran of World War II and Korea, will serve as parade grand marshal. 

The parade’s theme is Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of Delaware Women who have served their country, and it is sponsored by the Delaware General Assembly, the Department of State, Commission of Veterans Affairs, the Heritage Commission, Dover Air Force Base and the City of Dover.

For parade information, call 302-744-4303 or email colinda.marker@state.de.us. Parade registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 29.

Lineup begins at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Duncan Center at the corner of W. Loockerman and Slaughter streets. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Women marchers will line up by era of service, with the freedom to dress in the era they served, which can include partial uniforms. The route will wind through downtown Dover, ending at the northwest corner of Legislative Hall, the site of the dedication of the Delaware Women’s Veterans Monument at noon.

Retired Army Sgt. Major Ann Lopez, who is also a member of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, will serve as keynote speaker at the dedication that will include women who served during WWII. 

Delaware’s women veterans who served during any conflict will be recognized with a lapel pin and may fill out an application for a special license plate that features a woman in uniform with a red poppy behind her. Applicants for the license plate must have a DD-214 or other proof of service and a valid vehicle registration bearing their name, according to Lori Christiansen, director of Legislative Council’s Division of Research. For more information, call 302-744-4114.