Phoenix Veterans Day Parade changed to online event due to coronavirus

PHOENIX — Honoring America’s Veterans announced Wednesday an online celebration will take place instead of the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade due to the coronavirus pandemic.

USA, A Beacon of Liberty, will be streamed on HAV’s Facebook and YouTube accounts with an exact time to be announced at a later date, according to a press release.

The parade has been held in Phoenix since 1997, but proceeding with the festivities this year would put veterans and guests at risk, HAV President Brian Ishmael said in the release.

“The health and well-being of our nation’s veterans, our parade participants, and guests, as well as that of our volunteers, is our number one priority,” he said.

“This is not what any of us wanted, but we need to mind the challenges we face with COVID-19.”

During the online event, HAV will feature seven Honor Our Heroes winners, selected from third-party, online submissions.

Any veteran who served in World War II through the present day can be nominated, and those filing submissions are encouraged to include nominees’ service distinctions or awards.

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