MILL CREEK—Mill Creek’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony & Parade returns Monday, November 11, honoring all who have served in our United States military.
The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with a Commemorative Ceremony at the Veterans Monument at Library Park (15429 Bothell Everett Hwy). The ceremony and presentation include remarks from Mill Creek Mayor Brian Holtzclaw, Senator John Lovick, Representative April Berg, Chaplain Nick Lewis, and presentations by the Mill Creek Chorale and South Snohomish County Honor Guard with the raising of the colors as accompanied by bugler George Moffat.
The parade begins at 11:00 a.m., moving south through Mill Creek Town Center from L.A. Fitness (15024 Main St.) to City Hall North (15720 Main St.), lasting about one hour.
The parade will feature local Veterans and their families, the Overlake Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron, and performances by America’s First Corps Bigfoot Brass Band, the Glacier Peak High School Grizzly Band, the Snohomish High School Panther Band, the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band, plus vintage and military vehicles, with many community & local organizations.
Emcees Stitch Mitchell of KXA/KRKO Radio and Chris Jones of State Farm Insurance will introduce our 2024 Parade Grand Marshal, Lieutenant Colonel John D. Hosey. Look for Colonel Hosey, as he rides in the fully restored 1947 Cadillac Series 62 driven by Alejandro Santillanes.
Colonel Hosey is a decorated combat Veteran and aviator who served our country for 29 years. He served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in the Korean War and the 282nd Aviation Company in the Vietnam War. Colonel Hosey has earned three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star Medal—which is the U.S. Armed Force’s third-highest military decoration for valor in combat—the Bronze Star for his heroic service in combat, and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exceptional achievement and heroism during aerial flight. To learn more about Colonel Hosey, visit millcreekwa.gov/veteransday.
We truly appreciate all who make this event possible, including our featured sponsors: Amazon, JL Remodeling, and Community Transit, with Starbucks, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Chris Jones. Thank you! To our many dedicated volunteers, including Barb Heidel, and our Veterans Day Committee Veterans: Larry Beach, Kittie LaFazia, and Gary Walderman, thank you for your many hours of selfless dedication. Finally, thanks to our City Council and staff, including the Mill Creek Police Department, Citizens Patrol volunteers, and the Public Works crews.
Returning this year is the Heroes’ Café Giving Tree and Sock Drive, which provides opportunities for the community to help Veterans this holiday season. Look for their banner during the parade, and to donate, visit one of the VIP tents along the parade route or Mill Creek City Hall North (15720 Main St.) through December 15.
The Heroes’ Cafe is a local nonprofit organization focused on Veteran and supporter camaraderie, personal safety, positive outreach, healthy interactions, and improving Veterans welfare. Heroes’ Cafe founder and Executive Director Gary Walderman plays a vital role in planning the parade as an active part of the City of Mill Creek’s Veterans Day Committee.
“The Heroes’ Cafe is very thankful for the efforts of the City of Mill Creek staff and community members who made the Giving Tree such a success last year,” said Walderman. “This partnership resulted in the donation of badly needed items for 150 Veterans throughout southwest Snohomish County.”
Main Street Closures:
- Main Street, including parking, will be closed between 148th Street S.E. and City Hall North from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Â
- 153rd Street S.E. will be blocked at Main St. at 10:30 a.m. and reopen once the parade passes.Â
- The north L.A. Fitness parking lot will close at 8:00 a.m. for parade staging; patrons can park in the south lot; however, once the parade begins at 11:00 a.m., access in and out will be restricted.
To learn more about the Veterans’ Day ceremony and parade, visit millcreekwa.gov/veteransday.
SOURCE: City of Mill Creek
