Willard to host Veterans Day Parade; will there be one in Springfield?

The Veterans Day Parade has been a tradition in Springfield for some 70 years.

John Sellars, executive director of the History Museum on the Square, said the first parade probably happened sometime after the end of World War II. Sellars said President Harry Truman attended a Springfield Veterans Day Parade back in the 1940s.

In recent years, another tradition has emerged alongside the salute to veterans, as parade organizers complain that the special event fees the city charges threaten to put an end to the procession.

In Greene County, the Veterans Day Parade has always been organized and sponsored by area veterans' groups like AMVETS and VFW posts.

Several people have asked city officials about having a parade in Springfield, but so far no one has submitted an application.

Whether this year will, indeed, see the tradition end remains to be seen. But Springfield-area veterans will at least have an alternative: The nearby city of Willard will be home to the 2017 Western Greene County Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 4.

According to the Willard parade's organizers, the city of Springfield charges too much to have police officers directing traffic and blocking streets.

The city of Willard, on the other hand, is not going to charge anything.

Vietnam veteran Nolan Moody, who has been involved with the parade's planning since 2009, said many area veterans have become frustrated that they are the ones who have to pay for a parade to thank them.

"The communities should do parades thanking veterans, not veterans thanking themselves," Moody said.

Army veteran Doug Johnson, who is the commander at the AMVETS Post 188 in Willard, offered to help organize the 2017 parade.

Johnson said he reached out to Willard's city administrator and parks director, who both were excited about the idea of having the parade there.

"We went to the city council meeting and presented it to them. They 100 percent voted yes to sponsor and allow the Veterans Day Parade in Willard," Johnson said. "There is no cost for the (AMVETS Post 188).

"The city, for lack of better words, has bent over backwards and helped us make this work," Johnson said. "It's very honorable of the city to help out."

Brad Gray, Willard city administrator, confirmed that the veterans' groups will not be getting a bill for the parade. He said he is not sure how much it will cost the city of Willard, but "we are not asking veterans to reimburse us for that cost."

"We are excited about it. We have a strong veterans community," Gray said. "It's part of our identity out in Willard and so we are happy to support veterans, happy to showcase that for southwest Missouri."

Johnson encourages everyone to make the drive to Willard on Nov. 4 to honor veterans.

"What you are going to see in Willard is a small community giving 100 percent to support veterans," he said. "It will be well worth the drive to come and watch the parade."

Will there be a parade in Springfield?

According to Sharon Spain, special event coordinator for the city of Springfield, there have been a handful of inquiries about having a parade in Springfield, but so far no one has submitted an application to host it yet.

"I have had other phone call inquiries, most just wanting to know why it has been 'moved' to Willard. Each time I tell them, we have not been told that the parade has been officially 'moved' to Willard, just that the Willard VFW or American Legion Post is organizing their own Veteran’s Day Parade," Spain said in an email. "This is not out of the ordinary, as the Willard community hosts their own version of Turkey Trot and Color Run, just as many other communities have parades to celebrate special occasions.

"Every time I am contacted, I suggest they bring their counterparts to the table to discuss this event to see how to make it work, to see how the City can partner with them, as the Veteran’s Day Parade is an event of great magnitude, and will take many hands to put it together to run smoothly."

Cora Scott, spokesperson for the city of Springfield, explained the cost of parades in an email:

"The City has a special event permitting process and the details of the event are what drive any potential costs for hosting the event. For example, parades and races often require road closures, which in turn need police or other law enforcement support in order to ensure safety.

"The number of officers needed is decided upon by police staff assigned to review the special event permit application. Taxpayers are not expected to cover the costs incurred by private events, so for each event requiring officers, a sign-up sheet is created and off-duty officers are recruited. The cost is $28/hour. And yes, since they are off duty, they need worker’s comp insurance."

Spain said the 2016 Veterans Day Parade was permitted with the requirement that nine extra-duty officers and seven volunteers be provided for traffic safety.

Find information about special event permits at springfieldmo.gov/1843/Special-Event-Permits or call 417-864-1105.

Want to go?

The 2017 Western Greene County Veterans Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. Nov. 4 in Willard.

The deadline to register to be in the parade is Nov. 1. Moody, who is helping organize the parade, said politicians running for office are not allowed.

The parade starts at Willard High School. It will travel west on Jackson Street for 1.4 miles to the Willard Veterans Memorial at Jackson Street Park. There will be a ceremony at the memorial following the parade.

Find the event page on Facebook by searching for Western Greene County Veterans Day Parade.

Download an application and the parade route at WillardParks.com/veterans-day-parade.

Johnson said that so far, the other groups that have indicated they will be participating in the Willard parade include: Veterans Memorial team, Fleet Reserve Branch 316, AMVETS 188 of Willard, Girl Scout Troup 71364, Willard High School marching band, Greater Ozarks Mustang Club, Air and Military Museum of Springfield, VFW 3404 of Springfield, DAV Chapter 11 of Springfield, Honor Flight of the Ozarks, Marine Corps League Detachment 993, Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion 1214 of Springfield, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club, Vietnam Veterans Association of Springfield, Army Junior ROTC from Hillcrest High School and Strafford High School marching band.