Hundreds celebrate Veterans Day early with parade, run in Corktown
Veterans Day is Nov.11, but the celebration isn’t waiting until Thursday.
The 16th annual Veterans Day Parade and fifth annual 4 Star 4 Mile Race took place Sunday in the heart of Detroit.
The parade, complete with military-grade vehicles, high school marching bands and ROTC groups, took place alongside the 4 Star 4 Mile Race, with each serving as fellowship for veterans being thanked for their service, parade performers and local supporters.
The parade and run, attended by hundreds as it wound through Corktown on Michigan Avenue and Vernor Highway, were put on by the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition and hosted by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 58.
Although the events were supposed to be a celebration of veterans and their time served in the military, Doug Howell, an organizer of the celebration, said the goal was also to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians.
“My dream has always been to put people who have been in the service -- who often have a hard time adjusting to civilian life -- together with civilians so that each could find that we want each other,” Howell said. “We can help each other."
"Veterans, when they leave the service, they lose three things: they lose identity, they lose purpose, and they lose community. ... They feel like they have nowhere to go. And so my dream has always been to find a way to put the civilian community and the veteran community together in an event that is healthy, family-friendly.”
The festivities attracted participants, with and without military affiliation, from far and wide. Wendy Welbaum, one of the runners, said while she did not serve time in the military, many of her family members did. She said the run had personal meaning to her.
“It's just so great to see all the military out here and people going up to them and thanking them for their service,” she said. “It's just very emotional.”
More: Air Force officer who survived breast cancer has a message for others: Be like Betty
Veterans Day: Free coneys and discounted meals at metro Detroit restaurants
Boyzella Akins, who attended as a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority with an active duty Army background, said her participation in the parade doubled as recognizing her military background and community service.
“Definitely here to support all veterans,” Akins said. “It just so happens that yes, we do have veterans who maybe they served a limited amount of time or what have you, and then those who are currently active. … We're here to support each other.”
The Veterans Day Parade and 4 Star 4 Mile Race were held to raise awareness, but advocacy doesn’t end after the holiday. Welbaum said people who are not as aware of the issues veterans face should ask them directly.
“Everybody must know somebody who has served in a conflict or a war,” Welbaum said. “Go ask them questions and to try to find out -- ask questions, learn about the stories that they have to share.”
The parade and race in Detroit were just two of numerous Veterans Day celebrations planned across metro Detroit this week. Other celebrations coming up include:
Veterans Day at Sherwood Brewing Company, 3 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in Shelby Township
Veterans Day 2021 celebration, 9 a.m. Nov. 11 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School inFarmington
Female Veteran Brunch hosted by All Things Women, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Nov. 13 in Detroit
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Veterans Day Parade draws hundreds to Corktown in Detroit
