The Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation hosted an 11th Hour Ceremony and Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday in Fair Park to commemorate the millions of soldiers who have served in the U.S. Military.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the theme for the 2025 parade was “Commemorating 75 Years of the Korean War,” which included a symbolic laying of the wreath, a performance of “Taps,” and remarks from multiple well-known speakers about those who have served.
Every year, the group hosts the parade to “honor the 11th hour tradition of the Armistice signing and the end of World War I in 1918,” with this year’s event also paying a special tribute to those who served in the Korean War.
“This event is being planned as an educational and family oriented event to honor our nation’s veterans and military for their service and sacrifice for this great nation we all love,” per the Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation website.
Multiple featured guests attended this event, with the following individuals being honored during the parade: Chairman of the Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation, General Al Zapanta; Dallas City Manager Kimberly Tolbert; Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas); Captain Jamie Malakof; Lt. Colonel King Moss; and Master Sgt. Erika Stevens, Colonel William Wiggins, Rear Admiral Mark Meyers, and Lt. General John Campbell.
Prior to the kickoff of the parade, Tolbert provided remarks about the meaning of Veterans’ Day and the importance of military members to this country and the City of Dallas.
Tolbert said that military veterans “strengthen the fabric of our city and our community” and serve as a reminder of the good that resides in many people across the country and the world.
“In 2021, the city of Dallas established the Veterans Affairs Commission to ensure that our veterans are represented, supported, and celebrated right here within our community. That commitment was powerfully demonstrated again in 2024 when Dallas was federally recognized for effectively ending veteran homelessness in our city,” she said.
“But we understand that our work cannot stop there. Dallas has to continue to invest in veterans, making sure that our veterans are part of our workforce development goals, how we continue to support mental health resources, and ensuring that every veteran has the opportunity to succeed during civilian life.”
Tolbert ended her remarks by saying that she was “reminded that freedom is not free,” but rather that it “has been secured by those who have been willing to stand in harm’s way so that we might live in peace.”
Sen. West also provided comments about the parade, saying that it is “an honor to stand among the men and women who have given so much for our nation” and that the parade is “more than a celebration.”
“ It’s a reminder of what true service, sacrifice, and patriotism is and looks like. It reminds us of what it means to be a true American. To every veteran here today, to every service member, to every family who has supported them, thank you,” he added.
“ Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for what you’ve done and continue to do. You are the reason we can stand here beneath the flags of freedom, proud to call ourselves the people of the United States of America.”