Scouting Salute to Veterans parade

Veterans listen to a ceremony today honoring them and all the brave men and women who continue to preserve our freedom. They were part of a large parade through downtown which featured groups of scouts and veterans from throughout the state, the National Guard, and Gov. Peter Shumlin.

The Green Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts was proud to hold its 13th annual Scouting Salute to Veterans parade today.

This year’s “Scouting Salute to Veterans Parade” was hosted by the Town of Springfield. The parade began promptly at 11:00 a.m. The parade route started at the state offices on Mineral Street and proceeded  through downtown Springfield to the Riverside Middle School Park.

All Scout units in Vermont, both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were invited to come to Springfield, in uniform, march in the parade and honor our Veterans.  Several units from as far away as Chittenden County showed up along with about as many Veterans groups.

This small band representing  revolutionary war era veterans included one hardy soldier who walked the one mile parade route barefoot despite outdoor temperatures only in the 40s.

The parade, which began thirteen years ago was in honor of all Veterans. After September 11, 2001, it started to also honor the men and women of our Emergency Services Departments around the state.

At the conclusion of the parade there was a brief ceremony on the fairgrounds at the Riverside Middle School.

Governor Peter Shumlin was on hand at the ceremony led by leaders of Vermont Veterans groups

 Vermont – Only State to Hold Parade Honoring Veterans

Vermont is the only state in the nation to have such a parade. Started in 1999 by Pete Whitaker, a Boy Scout leader and high school history teacher from Richmond, the parade has attracted thousands of scouts, veterans and spectators. Parade participants have included Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and the Brownies from across the state, plus the Norwich University Corp of Cadets and various high school bands. Veterans marching in the parade include units and color guards for the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Disabled American Veterans, the Purple Heart Society and other groups as well as non-affiliated veterans. Parades in previous years have been held across the state in Saint Albans, Barre, Montpelier, Bennington, Burlington, Windsor, Saint Johnsbury, Essex Junction Vergennes, Waterbury, Northfield and the parade’s birthplace, Richmond.