U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps to lead Laurel parade Nov. 10
Laurel American Legion Post 19 organizers are excited to announce the official ceremonial unit and escort to the president of the United States will be leading this year's Veterans Day parade. The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps will be attending the 6th Annual Eastern Shore Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, in Laurel.
In support of the president, the corps performs at all armed-forces arrival ceremonies for visiting dignitaries and heads of state at the White House, and has participated in every Presidential Inaugural Parade since President John F. Kennedy's in 1961. The corps has served as goodwill ambassadors as far away as Europe, Australia and Canada. Major sporting events the corps has performed at include NCAA bowl games, NBA games and NFL games including Super Bowl XVI, Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500 and the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y.
The opportunity for this group to participate in the parade occurred when the Veterans Parade in Washington, D.C., was canceled. “President Trump and I have very similar taste in parades,” said parade Chair Chris Shirey. “I was on the phone the day I heard the D.C. parade was canceled.”
This will be the sixth year for the Veterans Day Parade in Laurel, and it has grown in popularity each year. Other participants will include the Baltimore City Police Mounted Unit, the St. Andrew's Legion Pipes and Drums from Richmond, Va., and many veterans and civic groups. New this year will be a festival following the parade with food trucks, vendors and entertainment. The parade is currently accepting entries and festival vendors. For more information, go to www.devetparade.com.
