The crowd cheers on our nation’s heroes during the Aurora Veterans Day procession in 2023. This year’s theme is “Honoring the Heroes Among Us.”
Courtesy of the City of Aurora

On Veterans Day, the Aurora community will recognize heroes who courageously served our country and returned home to continue to serve the community in a variety of ways.

With the theme “Honoring the Heroes Among Us,” the 2024 Aurora Veterans Day procession will begin at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, November 11, immediately followed by the ceremony with keynote speaker Jessica Lynch in front of the GAR Memorial, 23 E. Downer Place.

The parade, which begins at Benton Street and Water Street, heads north to Downer Place and then west to Downer Place, will feature various entities including local veterans organizations, public safety units, community organizations and youth groups.

The parade ends at the GAR Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer Place, where veterans, parade participants and guests gather for an honors ceremony.

A bugler performs at Aurora’s Veterans Day ceremony in 2023.
Courtesy of the City of Aurora

The Veterans Day ceremony will highlight this year’s theme – “Honoring the Heroes Among Us” – with a military salute at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended World War I and a roll call of military branches, one Presentation of Meritorious Service Awards to Aurora Veterans and special remarks by keynote speaker.

Lynch is a former U.S. Army private first class and former prisoner of war. On March 23, 2003, she was serving as a unit supply specialist with the 507th Maintenance Company when her convoy was ambushed by Iraqi troops. Lynch was seriously injured in the attack and captured by Iraqi soldiers. Ten US soldiers were killed in the ambush. Seven more soldiers were captured and six were subsequently rescued 21 days later.

One of the seven, Lynch’s best friend and combat comrade, PFC Lori Piestewa, suffered a severe head wound and later died in an Iraqi civilian hospital. Lynch’s subsequent rescue by U.S. special forces on April 1, 2003 was the first successful rescue of an American prisoner of war since World War II and the first ever of a woman. On July 22, 2003, Lynch was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Prisoner of War Medal.

We thank our veterans

Bring the family downtown to thank veterans in person, take a photo with the larger-than-life Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam, and pick up Veterans Day memorabilia.

• Veterans: Visit the tent near the main stage to pick up a hand flag for your military branch, while supplies last.

• Supporters: Stop by the tent before the parade to pick up your special buttons while supplies last.

The Aurora Veterans Advisory Council during the 2023 Veterans Day procession.
Courtesy of the City of Aurora

The 2023 Aurora Veterans Day procession passes through downtown.
Courtesy of the City of Aurora