No active military in Savannah’s Veterans Day parade this year

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The 79th Savannah Veterans Day Parade is set to kick off this year with over 100 groups, but there will be some changes you’ll notice due to the shutdown.

Weeks ago we were told a couple parade entrants were still in limbo with the government shutdown, but now it’s confirmed that there will be no active military involved in Tuesday’s parade, including Fort Stewart’s, which normally leads the parade.

That was a decision that veteran’s council chairman Joe Higgins had to make over the weekend. This is the first time that active military won’t be involved, and Higgins told us what conversations with them have been like.

“They’re quite upset about it, this is one of the number of events they love supporting every year. My message to them is ‘I completely understand, I’m more worried about you getting paid. I can put on a parade without you, the fact that you’re not getting paid bothers me and we’re going to continue fighting for you,’” said Higgins.

Regardless, the city is ready to embrace the event, with American flags lining Broughton Street and streets ready to shut down when the parade comes through. The flags were donated from families of veterans, which were previously being used to honor their caskets.

All this won’t stop active military members from attending the parade however, just from the sidelines.

“My expectations is that they’ll be there in civilian clothes. I’m hoping we have a couple of them on our viewing stand at the end of the parade,” said McGrath.

Fort Stewart’s band usually leads the charge, but this year it’ll be Savannah High School’s marching band that is up front, and they’re not alone. 

“We have several bands in the parade that are award winning bands,” said McGrath.