Five Junior ROTC battalions and the Killeen ISD high school All-Star Band brought rhythm, youth and spirit Tuesday to the city’s annual Veterans Day parade in downtown Killeen.
Cadets from Killeen, Ellison, Harker Heights, Chaparral and Shoemaker high school battalions marched in formation and sounded off cadences during the parade.
A marching band composed of seniors and other top musicians from the five high schools, dressed in their varied colors, performed together as well.
Prior to the parade start, the top three leaders from each battalion gathered outside City Hall for a photo and to discuss the importance of the holiday that honors America’s veterans.
One student, a Harker Heights senior and cadet used the occasion to enlist in the Marine Corps. Micheal Hill plans to take part in college ROTC and serve in a platoon leadership program.
Several cadets in leadership agreed the parade is a proud moment for them to walk alongside and in front of past and current service members. Here are some of the thoughts of the cadet battalion commanders.
Eliana Skeete, Shoemaker senior and battalion commander:
“The importance of Veterans Day is to celebrate those who have served in the military and to recognize their service. It’s really amazing to see everyone who comes out to support.”
Ryan Baldon, Harker Heights senior battalion commander:
“It’s really important for cadets to come and see and celebrate veterans, especially here close to Fort Hood where we have so many who have settled here. It’s important to celebrate them. They have served us and put their life on the line for us.”
“It’s amazing because you can see the city coming together to celebrate for those who have sacrificed for us. It means a lot to be in front of the battalion and to be with all the other schools.”
Chaparral senior Derek Myrdaho, battalion commander:
“The most important thing to me is to foster community. We’re all here to support the veterans. That’s what it’s all about. When I’m out there I have a huge sense of pride. It’s really an experience.”
Killeen High School senior Jada Masao, battalion commander:
“Veterans Day for us is a long running annual parade we’ve always attended. It’s a chance to show our appreciation to all our veterans at Fort Hood right next to our school. It’s a chance to be proud of what we are and how we better our community and how much we appreciate the veterans.”
“Being in the parade it’s nice to see our whole city come to support everyone in the parade. It makes me so proud the way they support us.”
Ellison High School senior Kalecia Pink, battalion commander:
“For me, Veterans Day is important to honor those who serve. It’s more personal to me now because my sister is in the Army.”
“We honor those who are alive and dead who have served. It’s an honor for me to show the community how hard we practice and say the cadences the way that they did before us.”
See our Killeen Veterans Day parade photo gallery here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720330281494