Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for our veterans and their service to America. In celebration, the Beaufort County Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting the 2021 Veterans Day Parade through downtown Beaufort on Thursday, November 11th.
The parade will begin with the lineup of floats, bands and civic groups at 830am by the Beaufort National Cemetery and offically starts at 10am. It will follow the traditional route and end at the intersection of Boundary and Bladen Streets after a full “loop,” covering Boundary, Carteret, Bay and Bladen Streets.
Beaufortonian and Air Force Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Raymond Stocks has been named 2021 Beaufort County Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshall. Mr. Stocks joined the US Air Force in June 1943 as a Radar Navigation Instructor until he retired in February 1964.
Throughout his career with the Air Force Mr. Stocks was stationed in Germany, where he met aviator Charles Lindbergh, who he was scheduled to fly with but due to inclement weather was unable. As his military career continued, Mr. Stocks was also stationed in Korea and Vietnam where he flew on B52 bombers as a Radar Navigator. His career wrapped up with time spent training pilots as a Radar Navigation Instructor at March Air Force Base in California, where he met Hollywood actor and Air Force Pilot Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart.
According to Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Director Carl Wedler, more than 40 community groups and individuals have submitted applications to participate with floats, bands or walking groups.
Mr. Stocks and his wife Margaret “Jerry” Stocks, who have been married 52 years, will be riding in a convertible Cadillac at the head of the parade to kick off the festivities.
Due to Covid concerns, the County parade committee will work closely with the city of Beaufort to monitor numbers to make sure the public and all parade participants remain safe. Also, in case of inclement weather the parade will be canceled.
New this year, be sure to look in downtown stores for posters made by local students saying thank you to our veterans.
Every community group, children’s group, civic organization, and community member is encouraged to show their community spirit and our veterans how much they are appreciated.
In case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled.
For more information, contact Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880.
