IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release	November 9 , 2007	No. 07-029   Contact: Mokie Porter 301-996-0901
ANNIVERSARY PARADE DRAWS THOUSANDS OF VIETNAM VETERANS
(Washington, D.C.) – More than ten thousand Vietnam veterans from across the nation will march in Vietnam Veterans of America’s 25th Anniversary Parade, commemorating the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The festivities will begin at 10 a.m., November 10, with a star-studded opening ceremony at the parade’s starting point on the Mall at 7th Street between Jefferson and Madison Drives. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. and will consist of units marching by state and by military organization. Rolling Thunder motorcyclists, floats, and marching bands from around the country will join the veterans. The parade will end at the Washington Monument grounds, where participants will find a reunion tent, an Agent Orange/Benefits information tent, and an all-star concert at the Sylvan Theater, featuring the Kingston Trio and Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad. The concert will begin at 12 p.m. “This is shaping up to be a monumental event and one that is gaining in momentum each day,” said VVA National President John Rowan. “We are very pleased that Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier will be marching in the parade as we honor the men and women who served our nation during the Vietnam War. We believe this will be the largest gathering of veterans in Washington since the dedication of The Wall in 1982.” For more information, and to find out how to join the parade, go to http://vva.org/25thEvent/event_info.htm or call toll free 877-727-2333.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families.  VVA's founding principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”