By Bill Marriot, Vice President of Veteran Programs

As another Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Week celebration is near-at-hand, our planning is in high gear in support of the many events that make up the week-long celebration. This year’s AUSA-sponsored events include a Nov. 10 Veterans Dinner, a Nov. 11 breakfast for Gold Star families and Veterans, and the Parade, one of the nation’s largest and best. 

However, Veterans Day in Huntsville-Madison County is more than just those events. It is a week where multiple events take place and the entire community comes together like no other to honor our Veterans. A YMCA Prayer Breakfast, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, and several other events provide opportunities to honor all who served. 

The parade, arguably the centerpiece of the week, would be impossible without the support of corporate and individual sponsors and participation from the Huntsville and Madison County governments. 

John Perry, a retired Army Command Sergeant Major, and AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter member who works as a Senior Production Engineer for Intuitive Research and Technology is chairing activities at the Veterans Memorial, where the parade will begin, the reviewing stand is located, and Channel 48 cameras will be broadcasting live. 

Keith Langewisch, a retired Army chief warrant officer who is also an aviation analyst at Redstone Arsenal PEO Aviation and president of the local Warrant Officer Association, is chairman of the parade. 

The theme for the parade this year is “Honor” Participants will include marching bands, ROTC groups, veterans’ groups, and more. 

Information, tickets and the link to register for the parade can be found at hsvvetsweek.com

Support from the Huntsville/Madison County community for veterans has always been world-class. This will be another opportunity to come out in force and let our veterans know how much their service means to our community.” 

Schedule of Events 

Friday November 4

7:30 am – Veteran Prayer Breakfast, Valley YMCA Madison AL

• Keynote Speaker: LTG Robert Rasch, Director of RCCTO
• Cost: No cost to veterans – all others-$30 per person or table of 8 $300
• Veterans, please register to reserve your free ticket: Events for Veterans (ymcahuntsville.org)

Saturday, November 5 

Flag placements

• Maple Hill – 0900
• Madison Memory Garden – 1000
• Huntsville Memory Garden - 1130

Thursday, November 10 

6 p.m. – Veterans Dinner, VBC, South Hall (social hour 5-6 p.m., program at 6 p.m.)

•  Honored guests (invited) 
• Senior military leaders and elected officials (invited) 
• Induction of local heroes into the Madison County Hall of Heroes 
• Induction of Purple Heart recipients into the Purple Heart Honor Roll 

The dinner is open to the public. Tickets are required. 

Friday, November 11 

8:00 a.m. – Veterans Day Breakfast in honor of Gold Star Families, Roundhouse (breakfast buffet begins immediately, program at 9 a.m.) 

• Honored guests (invited) 
• Senior military leaders and elected officials (invited) 
• Recognition of local Gold Star families 
• The breakfast is open to the public. Tickets are required. 

11 a.m. –  Veterans Parade, downtown Huntsville 

• Honored guests (invited) 
• Senior military leaders and elected officials (invited) 
• Free and open to the public. The best viewing is at Veterans Memorial Park on Monroe Street. 

Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Jackson Center Visit semperfictf.org for more information

For more information on Veterans Week and Veterans Day activities in Huntsville go to hsvvetsweek.com