Atlanta Veterans Day Parade To Commemorate World War I

ATLANTA, GA — The 2017 Georgia Veterans Day Parade on Saturday will celebrate the centennial of America's entry into World War I, also known as the Great War, according to the Georgia Veterans Day Association Inc. (GVDA), the event's organizer. The parade is scheduled to begin in downtown Atlanta at 11:11 a.m. Saturday, a time that commemorates the end of World War I, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of November 1918.

The 36th annual parade will begin at SunTrust Plaza at Peachtree Street. The parade's reviewing stand will be on Baker Street between the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium.

The grand marshal of the 2017 Georgia Veterans Day Parade is retired Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston of the U.S. Marine Corps. Livingston received the Medal of Honor in 1968 for heroic actions in combat during the Vietnam War.

The parade awards presentation will take place at Pemberton Place after the parade ends, estimated at 1 p.m. The parade entries will be judged in eight categories:

• President's Trophy
• Most Patriotic
• Best Military
• Best Veteran
• Best Band
• Best Marching
• Best Non-Veteran
• Best ROTC Unit

At 6 p.m. Saturday, the GVDA will present the annual black-tie Freedom Ball at the Oceans Ballroom in the Georgia Aquarium. Maj. Gen. Livingston will be the keynote speaker at the event, with the music of the Les Still Swinging Band. The master of ceremonies will be Wes Sarginson, a retired anchorman from WXIA-TV Atlanta 11Alive.

The sponsors for Saturday's events include World of Coca Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Lockheed Martin, GVVA, Glock USA, Seekins Precision, Atlanta Commercial Real Estate, Chick Fil-A, AAA Parking, Atlanco, AVVBA and John & Patti Robinson & Kaya Vineyards.

For updates on these events from the Georgia Veterans Day Association, please click here or check on Facebook.

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