Honoring Our Veterans

The 2025 Veterans Day Parade in Tallahassee, FL

Photo by Melody Yu / Maclay Andalusian

On Nov. 12, Vet Events Tallahassee hosted their annual Veterans Day Parade. The event started at eight in the morning with a Memorial Veterans Day 5K race, before VETfest opened with a ceremony at the Chain of Parks on Park Avenue. At 10 a.m., Rolling Thunder began, where motorcycles started their run to the Florida Vietnam Veterans Memorial. An hour later, the FSU Army ROTC Watch opened with the 11th Hour Ceremony at the same location. There, a three round rifle salute commenced, before Taps – the military bugle call – played. The parade then began at 11:05 a.m, starting at South Monroe Street. It showcased a variety of groups, including the Rickards High School Band, performers from Key Up Piano Studio, a motorcade of fancy cars and other artfully decorated floats. A massive American flag was also showcased by a crane where the parade first started. At 11:25 a.m., the parade paused to honor a moment of silence, before concluding around 12 p.m, ending at Duval Street.

The roots of Veterans Day originate from the end of World War 1 (WW1), specifically on Nov. 11, 1918, when an armistice was signed between the Allied Nations and Germany, ceasing hostilities. The day became known as Armistice Day, and in 1919 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed its first observance. In 1938, Congress officially made Nov. 11 a legal holiday, but it was still known as Armistice Day and was meant to primarily honor WW1 veterans. 

Much later in 1954, after advocacy from veterans’ organizations, Congress amended the 1938 Act, replacing the name “Armistice” with “Veterans.” President Dwight Eisenhower signed the change into law, officially designating Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. Today, Americans still celebrate this timeless holiday, honoring all the brave men and women who risk their lives for their country every single day.