Eden to honor veterans Tuesday morning

Eden’s annual Veterans Day Parade will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 8:30 a.m. at Draper Elementary School. The parade will be followed by a ceremony at Veterans Park on Fieldcrest Road at 9 a.m.

Cindy Adams, coordinator of tourism and special events for Eden, said this program will be a very special one this year with more student involvement.

“This program is being more student-led than ever, with them leading the pledge of allegiance, and leading in singing during the program,” Adams said. “We have had really good participation from veterans this year, and we expect the community to come out on Tuesday.”

Adams said city officials encourage the veterans to come and walk with the children who made posters from information they sent in.

“We are honoring veterans and those who are currently serving with the military,” Adams said. “We want to instill in children the importance of what these men and women do for our country and why they risk their lives for our freedom.”

Laura Bradford, Title I teacher at Draper Elementary, said the children have been working very hard to prepare their posters for the parade. She thanks Alta Millner, the art teacher at Draper Elementary, for her hard work in helping the children.

“The children are really excited that they will be carrying these posters during the parade,” Bradford said. “The children always look forward to this event and marching in the parade. It seems like every year we have more people come out from the community and the county to support this event. We hope for a big turnout this year.”

Parents are also invited to watch their children along the parade route, so they can have someone to cheer them on. Bradford said this is really the only time children get to experience what it really means to be in service and to understand exactly what it means when they put their lives on the line for the country.

Adams said the children and everyone involved should be proud, because a lot of work goes into preparation for the ceremony.

“They will all be carrying flags – it will be a very special morning,” Adams said. “This is one of my favorite events in Eden. It’s very touching and heartwarming to watch these children connect with the veterans.”