First Black female grand marshal for Savannah’s Veterans Day parade

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - For 79 years, Savannah and Chatham County have been celebrating veterans with a parade. This year, the first Black female veteran is leading the parade as Grand Marshal.

WTOC talked to Dr. Faye Prescott about her story of service and celebration.

“Always been a servant. Always serving, even before I went into the military, always doing community service, serving others, it’s always been a passion of mine,” said Dr. Prescott.

Faye Prescott is a Navy veteran and veteran advocate through her My Veterans Place 501c3.

“That is dedicated to helping active duty service members and their families. We offer comprehensive assistance such as housing assistance, giving unsheltered veterans or veterans in need of a house permanent housing. We offer gifting of reliable cars to veterans in need of car,” said Dr. Prescott.

Even though Prescott been active with the military since birth, her father was in the Army, she was surprised by the selection.

“It’s an honor; I was very shocked to receive this position,” said Dr. Prescott. "I’m glad to be able to honor them and show their presence that we are hear and hopefully those that come after me feel the same way.”

She says there’s been a joyful noise in the community once word got out that a Black woman veteran was leading the parade.

“It means a whole lot to the African American community, once they heard that I was the Grand Marshal, it has lit a fire in these women veterans,” said Dr. Prescott.

“As an inspiration to me, I felt that she was the most qualified, most deserving to be the Grand Marshal this year and lead our women veterans,” said Joe Higgins, Chairman of the Veterans Council of Chatham County.

Higgins says he wanted to highlight women veterans this year because often, they shrink away after their service.

“And I’m hoping that by doing this this year, it shows that male veterans, we appreciate you, we love you, come out and help us because we need all the help we can get,” said Higgins.

Faye’s leadership and message is clear.

“You can be a part of these different organizations, and you can be recognized as a woman veteran, so I don’t want them to be embarrassed about it. I want them to stand arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder. Women veterans are resilient women. They’re unbreakable, and they’re here. They served. They’re you’re mothers, you daughters, your nieces and we’re here to stay," said Dr. Prescott.