Pigeon Forge Honors America’s Military with Annual Veterans Homecoming Parade

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (July 10, 2018) – Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) will honor U.S. military veterans with its Veterans Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Aug. 18. Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder will serve as grand marshal of the parade.

Grinder was appointed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam in 2011. Colonel Grinder is the first female in the state to serve as Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. The retired colonel received the Legion of Merit award and the Bronze Star Medal for her more than 35 years of service in the Tennessee Army National Guard prior to accepting her current appointment.

The Veterans Homecoming Parade starts at 9 a.m. and travels north on the Pigeon Forge Parkway between Traffic Lights Eight and Five.

“Pigeon Forge feels privileged to have the opportunity to recognize the many brave men and women who have served our country,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “This parade is our way of welcoming U.S. military veterans from near and far with open arms.”

In the parade, Grinder will be joined by the Pigeon Forge city commissioners and Pigeon Forge City Manager Earlene Teaster. The parade will once again be led by the Veterans Military Honor of Pigeon Forge. More than 50 entries, including groups from three additional states, will take part in the parade, including several chapters from Vietnam Veterans of America. American Legion posts as well as Disabled American Veterans will be represented as well.

Every August, Celebrate Freedom!™ offers discounts to active and veteran military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders at participating Pigeon Forge businesses. Present a valid form of identification at the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center at Traffic Light Zero to receive the benefits. More information is available here.

For information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge and other city-sponsored events, visit MyPigeonForge.com or call 1-800-251-9100.

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