American Flag tradition returns to Broughton Street for Veterans Day parade

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - One hundred and twenty entries are set to take part in Savannah’s Veterans Day parade; promising to be one of the largest yet.

This year’s parade will also see the return of a tradition that honors fallen soldiers.

For the first time since 2019, the parade will return to its original route. It kicks off at Abercorn and Gwinnett before ending on Broughton Street.

Along Broughton Street, American flags will hang above the parade route - each having once been draped over the casket of a fallen soldier.

Chairman Joe Higgins, of Chatham County’s Veterans Council, said it’s the most significant part of the route.

“It’s just something special when you round that corner from Montgomery, and you start down that last little bit of Broughton. To be able to walk under those flags as everyone’s cheering down the side, I get chill bumps just thinking about it right now,” Higgins said.

The theme of this year’s observance is the 20th anniversary of Iraqi Freedom. An operation that impacted many in the local military community.

“Being that the 3rd Infantry Division and Hunter Army Airfield are right here on our doorstep; I was a member of the 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq. I wanted to spotlight that significance and the fact it has been 20 years since that kicked off,” Higgins said.

Higgins said the parade not only recognizes the service of Chatham County’s 26,000 veterans, but also the families that help support local servicemembers.

“This is really about them as well, being able to celebrate the veterans’ community and that includes the families,” Higgins said.

The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Abercorn and Gwinnett streets.

The staging area for the parade, between Gwinnett Street and Park Avenue and Habersham Street and Drayton Street, will close at 6 a.m. Saturday.

The parade route will close at 9 a.m. or earlier due to safety. The city said vehicles found in the no-park zones will be towed at the owner’s expense.

To learn more about the parade, find a full route map, including the staging area, and no-park zones, visit savannahga.gov/veteransparade.

WTOC will be airing the Savannah Veterans Day parade live on Saturday.

WTOC’s coverage will start at 10 a.m. on-air and online. WTOC’s Mike Cihla will host the parade.

If the parade continues past 11 a.m., WTOC’s coverage will continue online only.

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