TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: ‘Loyalty Day’ parade set to return on May 8

Tuesday, April 20, 2021
The Spring weather and crisp winds blow through the flags on display at the Veterans Monument at Craig Park Military Plaza.
Ivy Jacobs photo

Canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, event organizers want people to know the Loyalty Day Parade is back this year.

“Loyalty Day is going to happen this year. The V.F.W. is organizing the parade, which starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 8th,” said Veterans Service Officer Randy Kaelber. “I think this is a good way to honor our veterans, and get out of the house for a little, especially during all this COVID-19 stuff going on.”

Kaelber is organizing the Veterans Luncheon at Pappy’s Barbeque, 111 East National Avenue, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

“Veterans wanting to attend need to sign up, so we know how many are coming for lunch,” said Kaelber. “Veterans can bring one guest.”

Sign-up sheets are available at the Clay City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6606, Brazil V.F.W. Post #1127 on South Depot Street, American Legion Post #2 on North Depot Street, and at Pappy’s Barbeque. “They can also call the Veterans Service Office here at the courthouse at 812-448-9015,” said Kaelber.

Kaelber said there would be door prizes and a guest speaker besides lunch, but there will not be any luncheon music program this year.

The parade will begin lining up at 1 p.m. on South Depot Street at the U.S. 40 intersection. The parade starts at 2 p.m. with the route along U.S. 40 to Vandalia Street. The winning entries will be announced at the V.F.W. after the parade and published in The Brazil Times.

DEADLINE TO ENTER FLOAT IN PARADE IS MAY 1 — E-mail entry information to vfw1127@yahoo.com. The public is invited to the American Legion Car Show that afternoon.

“After being cooped up for a year, I imagine many people are feeling a bit stir-crazy. I know that I am,” said Kaelber. “I think this will be an excellent opportunity to get back to something that feels normal. I hope that people come out to show their pride to their country — wear red, white, and blue — and honor the military servicemen.”

LOYALTY DAY HISTORY - On July 18, 1958, Loyalty Day became an official national holiday, although it was observed in May 1955. President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1955, the first observance of Loyalty Day.

Each year since the President of the United States issues a proclamation to citizens “for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.”

Loyalty Day kicks off National Military Appreciation Month.

This year, people are urged to use #NationalLoyaltyDay on social media to show their loyalty.

To learn more, log onto: https://militarybenefits.info/loyalty-day/#ixzz6s8BksSdn

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