Dyess attends Veterans Day Parade Nov. 10

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess Air Force Base Airmen will march alongside local Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corp cadets and marching bands in Abilene's annual Veterans Day Parade Nov. 10, to commemorate the service military members provide to the United States.

Col. Vincent Lostetter, 7th Bomb Wing vice commander, will be the guest speaker from Dyess.

"It's important to honor our veterans," Lostetter said. "We wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them. They laid out the foundation for everything uniquely American."

John Smith, a local World War II veteran, will lead the event as grand marshal. The day of the parade will be officially deemed John Smith Day by the city of Abilene, in recognition of his service.

"Mr. Smith is an outstanding representative of a great host of World War II veterans who signify the greatest generation in America's history," said Norm Archibald, Abilene Mayor. "In honoring him, we honor all the veterans in Abilene."

On April 13, 1944, Smith's B-24 Liberator, "Standby," was shot down over Budapest, Hungary. Once captured, he was taken to Stalag Luft III as a prisoner of war and kept there for more than a year. Toward the end of the war, he was force marched for 50 miles in sub-freezing temperatures, eventually ending in Mooseburg, Germany. Several months later he was liberated by Gen. George Patton.

The parade is scheduled to take place Nov. 10, in downtown Abilene, along Pine and Cypress streets between North First and Sixth streets. For more information, call the Abilene Veterans Service Office at (325) 674-1329.