Ripley Veterans Day parade set for Saturday

This year is no different. Ripley will celebrate close to 500 veterans from all ranks of service.

“The parade is the eleventh month, the eleventh day at 10 a.m.,” Ripley’s mayor Carolyn Rader said. “Unless that day falls on a Sunday, it will always be on November 11.”

Starting at Ripley high school, the route travels past Ginos and turns on to Main Street at the Vail Furniture corner. It then concludes at Little Caesars.

“We are using the youth so much this year,” Rader said. “I spoke with the fifth graders at Ripley Elementary, all of Ripley Middle School, Ripley High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Kindness Club and begged them for carriers because we have about 160 people who do not have carriers.”

Rader said there are many families that want their local veterans honored but do not live in the area or they have heard about the parade but cannot be here.

“Without the youth of Ripley, we could not do it,” Rader said.

Leading the parade will be three police cars honoring local law enforcement officers who are also veterans.

They will be followed by Major General Bill Crane, the Adjutant General (TAG) of the State of West Virginia, who will be the parade marshal along with Jeff Elkins of Ravenswood.

“Elkins is a 30 year veteran of the United States Navy and a former state commander of the VFW,” Rader said.

Rader said three participants will be the highlight of the parade.

“We have three WWII surviving veterans, an almost 103 year-old, a 98 year-old and a 96 year-old, all from Jackson County,” Rader said. “Clyde Peters, Lester Click from Ravenswood who’s the baby of the three, and then Osborne Perrine who is 98.”

The riderless horse will be the next entrant followed by the remaining WWII veterans.

“We always honor the WWII veterans first,” Rader said. “They will be followed by the Ravenswood Red Devil Marching Band.”

The Korean War section is next followed by the United States street flag and the Ripley High Viking Marching Band.

“Vietnam veterans are after that,” Raider said. “Then comes the beautiful Ripley Tabernacle float honoring the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by post-Vietnam veterans.”

The post-Vietnam veterans are after the float followed by other entries such as queens and horses.

“The WV Eye Consultants will be last,” Rader said. “This is the first year they have entered the parade, and they asked to be last. They are honoring about 25 veterans on their truck.”

Following the parade, the Alpine Theatre will be the hub of the day’s festivities.

“It will open with the singing of the national anthem by the second grade class of Ripley Elementary,” Rader said. “I asked them to come and sing for the veterans. They will also sing ‘You’re A Grand Old Flag’ and a selection called ‘The Veterans Day.’ The school is having a patriotic concert on November 16 as well.”

Speakers will be the parade marshals, Major General Crane and Jeff Elkins. The three World War II veterans will then be honored. Rounding out the program will be Corey Hager with two songs.

“It’s going to be a great parade and a wonderful day in Ripley,” Rader said.