Longer route, more ops for veterans to take part highlight 2016 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration

The 2016 Armed Greenville Armed Forces Day Parade will feature a longer route, ends with a celebration at Flour Field and offers more opportunities for veterans to take part when it rolls through downtown Greenville on May 21.

Going into its 15th year, the event starts with military displays and a classic car rally at 4p.m. on Main Street at the One Plaza. The parade will start at 5 p.m., near the intersection of Main and Beattie Streets and then will head south on Main — past hundreds of shops and restaurants and thousands of visitors. It will culminate at Fluor Field with military displays, high school bands and JROTC demonstrations, a classic car rally and more.

Another fun feature of this year’s parade is the opportunity for any veteran to take part in the parade as walkers or on floats. Interested vets should arrive at the corner of Coffee and Springs streets by 4:30 p.m.

Excellent viewing locations are available up and down Main Street. Come cheer America’s heroes. The parade is hosted and sponsored by Lockheed Martin, Upstate Warrior Solution, Greenville County Schools and various Upstate veterans’ groups.

Information about the parade is available at www.greenvillearmedforcesday.com and on its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GreenvilleArmedForcesDay. The public is welcome and encouraged to take pictures.

Parade participants will include active and reserve military units from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and National Guard; the Greenville County Sheriff’s office; multiple fire departments across Greenville County; Family Readiness Groups; Military History Club of the Carolinas (MHCC); American Legion Posts; Disabled American Veterans; The Greenville Joint Veterans Council; Greenville County Schools Combined Band; JROTC Units; the Marine Corps League-Owens/Kennemore Detachment #1105; classic car clubs; Blue and Gold Star Mothers; the American Legion Riders; and the Patriot Guard Riders.