This year marks the 27th for the Cumberland County Veterans Day Parade, an annual procession in downtown Fayetteville honoring veterans.
And with increased involvement from Fort Liberty soldiers, organizers say the aim of 2023 celebration is to “bridge the gap” between local veterans and Fayetteville’s military community.
Toshiba Narcisse serves as the Veterans Day Parade chairwoman and senior vice president for the Cumberland County Veterans Council, the organization that puts on the parade every year. She hopes the name of this year’s theme — “We Fought For Liberty” — along with increased soldier involvement, will foster a better and deeper connection between Fort Liberty soldiers and Fayetteville area veterans.
There have always been active duty soldiers in the parade, she said, but what makes this year different is the number of soldiers expected to attend — more than 300 soldiers from the Army’s largest installation in the country.
“We're trying to bridge that gap with everybody to get everybody involved,” Narcisse said.
Narcisse, who worked as a human resources specialist for the Army for 16 years, is a veteran herself of nearly eight years. This is her seventh year working to organize the parade through the council.
In addition to the soldiers marching in Saturday’s parade, she expects 90 veteran, government and community organizations to participate. Some of the groups include the Beta Chapter of Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority Inc., VFW Posts 6018, 670 and 10630, and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Narcisse hopes the increased number of soldiers at this year's parade will also lead to greater interactions with veterans.
“Every time you see a soldier talking to an old veteran, it always lightens my heart because I know they're getting some kind of knowledge or something from them,” she said.
For the first time in the event’s 27-year history, top brass from Fort Liberty will also serve as parade marshals.
This year's parade marshals are Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, the 18th Airborne Corps commanding general; Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan D. Barker of the 18th Airborne Corps; Fort Liberty Garrison Commander Col. John Wilcox; and Fort Liberty Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory A. Seymour.
“The parade is one of many ways our community partners demonstrate their gratitude for the service and contributions of Fort Liberty service members,” Col. Wilcox said in an email statement. “Command Sgt. Maj. Seymour and I are honored to represent the soldiers, families, civilians and retirees of Fort Liberty as Grand Marshals of this year’s event.”
The parade is set for 10 a.m. Saturday along Hay Street, beginning at Cool Spring Drive and going all the way to Pittman Street. The parade is expected to last no more than two hours. For more information, visit https://ccveteransdayparade.com/
Contact Char Morrison at cmorrison@cityviewnc.com.
