Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – The Craighead County Veterans’ Monument Foundation (CCVMF) brought its annual Veterans Day parade back to downtown Jonesboro on Saturday, with this year’s event carrying special historical weight.

In addition to honoring local service members, the parade and subsequent ceremony commemorated 250 years since the founding of the United States.

The parade kicked off at 10 a.m., followed immediately by a ceremony in front of the Craighead County Courthouse, with Will Silas emceeing the parade route, while CCVMF president emceed the ceremony.

Hundreds attended the event, despite the cold temperatures, making sure to be there for those who have fought for the country.

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For the first time, this year’s parade featured two Grand Marshals: Doyle Yarbrough and Marie George. George was among the early waves of enlisted women in the Navy, serving with the Naval Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.

For Norris, the 250th anniversary ties deeply to the sacrifices of the nation’s military branches.

“I’m going to make it clear from the podium that we are celebrating 250 years of freedom, and a lot of that has to do with our continued freedom with the armed forces of the United States,” Norris shared ahead of Saturday’s event.

Danny Honnoll, president of the Craighead County Historical Society and a member of the CCVMF, served as the guest speaker during the courthouse ceremony.

When reflecting on what the parade means to him personally, Norris noted the enduring power of seeing the American flag.

“It represents not just a piece of cloth flying up there, but America as a concept,” Norris said. “I thought enough of it, and my dad thought enough of it as a World War II veteran, to join the military”.

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