PARKER COUNTY — Parker County is known for its patriotism and in order to celebrate that, numerous organizations will be setting up events throughout the week in honor of Veteran’s Day, which is next Sunday, Nov. 11.

“That’s what we’re all here for,” American Legion Post 163 past commander Ron Chandler said of the support of veterans. “We’re pleased that we’re starting to see more veterans and their families come out and participate as well.”



Thursday

The Veteran’s Day week activities kick off Thursday, as the Parker County Republican Women will be honoring local military hero and Battle of the Bulge survivor Chuck Katlic.

The luncheon, held at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center, begins at 11 a.m. with a social session, followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Member tickets are $15 per person, and reservations may be made through Sonja Davis, at 817-443-3870 or parkercorepublicanwomenrsvp@gmail.com.

Weatherford College is also hosting a veteran’s event for the community Thursday, with a flag ceremony in observance of the holiday.

A tribute to military past, present and future, will begin with music by the WC Howlin’ Band at 10:45 a.m. at the Ed Kramer Veteran’s Plaza in front of the new academic building.

Following the concert, WC president Kevin Eaton and board chairman Frank Martin, both veterans themselves, will speak, with the college choir and several solo singers indulging the crowd in song.

Representatives for the military branches will post military flags, and a list of local fallen heroes who were killed in action will be read out loud, with a single toll of a bell to mark each name.

“Altogether, truly a fitting tribute for our men and women who have and are serving our country in one of our military forces,” Ralph Willingham, director of admissions and VA Affairs at WC, said.



Friday

On Friday, several clubs from Garner School will honor troops with a program beginning at 2 p.m. at Ryan Gymnasium on campus. The Garner choir will perform in song, as well as several students demonstrating other acts, including essay readings to veterans. Contact Garner ISD at 940-682-4251 to find out more.

From noon to 2:30 p.m., the Legacy Texas Bank’s Weatherford Banking Center will host its third annual Veteran’s Day celebration and ceremony lunch, at 1111 Santa Fe Drive.

Complimentary barbecue from Mesquite Pit will be served, and the bank will also be accepting donations for the Lone Star Salute to Texas Troops, which helps organize care package collection drives.

Poolville ISD will host its own parade Friday, beginning at 9:30 a.m., with a Veteran’s Day program at 10 a.m. All veterans and family members will receive a free meal at the Poolville Methodist Church following the program. For more information, call 817-304-7843.



Saturday

One of the traditional highlights each year is the Parker County Veteran’s Day Parade, which will take place Saturday.

The program begins at 9:45 a.m. at the Weatherford Ninth Grade Center, followed by the leaving of entry floats and riders at 10:30 a.m. The parade path travels north on South Main toward the courthouse, turning at Oak Street to Alamo, left on Russell and back down Main to the campus.

American Legion and VFW Post 4746 members and the Daughters of the American Revolution will be some of the many participants, as well as the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who will have a modern caparisoned, or riderless, horse and a federate caparisoned horse, as well as mount units and escorts.

At 2 p.m., the SCV will have a grave dedication at Willow Springs Cemetery in Willow Park, to unveil new monuments for confederate cavalry that died during the Civil War’s Red River Campaign.

“It’s a very old cemetery and some vandals had gotten in and destroyed some of the monuments,” Calvin Allen, a 1st Lieutenant Commander and member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, said.

The public is invited to attend the monument presentation, and Allen is encouraging any active or retired military to join in the parade, with uniforms and medals if possible.

Two other groups that will be participating are the Blue Star and Gold Star organizations, families of soldiers either deployed in Iraq or that have been killed in action.

“There are a lot of families in Weatherford that have lost loved ones since the war in Iraq began, and these groups have gotten together to help support one another,” Chandler said.

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold a Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, located at 1500 W. Ball St.

Meals include brisket, sausage, beans, potato salad, fixings, desserts and drinks. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, and can be purchased by contacting the church office at 817-613-1939. Military and veteran tickets are free.

The Weatherford VFW, located at 224 Zion Hill, will be hosting a chicken and dumpling cook-off, with entry turn-in times at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to compete, as well as share in some of the winning entrees. Call 817-594-7356 for more information.