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Veterans Day Celebration
Sunrise Reveille
Stay tuned for 2023 event details. The Veterans Day Sunrise Reveille is typically held shortly after 6 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Water Street. Reveille will be played following the raising of the flag by the United States Coast Guard at sunrise. Broadway will be closed to traffic from the last entrance to the gazebo parking lot toward the floodwall opening for the event.
Veterans Day Opening Ceremony and Parade
Stay tuned for 2023 event details. The Veterans Day Opening Ceremony is held at Dolly McNutt Plaza at the Korean War Monument located on the 6th Street side. The Opening Ceremony includes recognizing the Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Award winners who will also serve at the parade's grand marshals. Students who are winners of the Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest will also be recognized. The parade begins at 6th & Washington Streets. It will travel along 6th Street before turning right on Broadway and head towards the riverfront. At 2nd Street it will turn left and disband at 2nd & Monroe Streets.
To participate in the parade, submit a Veterans Day Parade Application Form (stay tuned for the 2023 application) to Veterans Day Parade Committee, 1400 H.C. Mathis Drive, Paducah, KY 42002-7265.
Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Awards
Distinguished Veteran Award - For the Distinguished Veteran Award, preference is given to candidates who currently reside in McCracken County and stay active and involved in their community. Anyone, male or female, who has served in any branch of the military may be nominated. Stay tuned for 2023 application.
Patriot Award - The Patriot Award is presented to a non-veteran, a citizen who dedicates his or her time to serving veterans and veteran causes in this community. Stay tuned for 2023 application.
Poster & Essay Contest
Students are invited to submit entries for the Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest organized by Paducah Parks & Recreation and the Paducah Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. The contest is for all K-12 students in Paducah and McCracken County. Judging will be in four divisions:
- Grades K-2 (8 1/2” x 11” picture, original artwork) – Stay tuned for 2023 themes
- Grades 3-5 (100-150 word essay)
- Grades 6-8 (150-200 word essay)
- Grades 9-12 (200-300 word essay) –
First, second, and third place winners will be selected from each grade division with the City of Paducah providing cash awards. First place winners will receive $75. Second place winners will receive $50 with each third place winner receiving $25.
The following must be included with each entry: student’s name, grade, name of school and teacher, and the school’s (or home school's) phone number or email address. Entries must be the original work of the student. Entries can dropped off at the Parks & Recreation Office at 1400 H.C. Mathis Drive or mailed to
Paducah Parks & Recreation ATTN: Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest 1400 HC Mathis Drive Paducah, KY 42001Grades K-2 - 2022 Winners
- Lena Osborne, 1st Grade, Hendron Lone Oak Elementary
- Karlie Morris, 1st Grade, Hendron Lone Oak Elementary
- Oliver Kate Barnhill, 2nd Grade, Clark Elementary
Grades 3-5 - 2022 Winners
- Eli Hughes, 4th Grade, Concord Elementary
- Ryann Abell, 3rd Grade, Heath Elementary
- Channing Seaton, 4th Grade, Clark Elementary
Grades 6-8 - 2022 Winners
- Jakiyah Waldon, 6th Grade, Paducah Middle School
- Luke Whiteside, 8th Grade, Lone Oak Middle School
- Zoe E. Wadley, 6th Grade, Paducah Middle School
Grades 9-12 - Winners
- Zayna Yazigi, 10th Grade, St. Mary High School
- Ellie Roof, 12th Grade, St. Mary High School
- David DeNeve, 11th Grade, St. Mary High School
Past Veterans Day Events
- 2022 Veterans Day
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- 2021 Veterans Day
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Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Award: WPSD-Local 6 partnered with the City of Paducah to honor 2021 Distinguished Veteran Patricia Ann Mack and Patriot Award winner Perry Boxx on the November 11th Midday newscast. A special thank you to Milner & Orr for sponsoring the beautiful plaques that were presented by City Commissioner Sandra Wilson and Mary Beth Orr.
Patricia Ann Mack is a veteran of the United States Air Force. In addition to receiving this award, Mack was presented with a Quilt of Valor. Since Mack retired from the Air Force, she has become a dedicated volunteer to many community organizations. Mack has completed the Citizens Police Academy and works with the volunteer police service during Halloween on Jefferson Street, Barbecue on the River and the Iron Man Half Marathon.
Patriot Award winner Perry Boxx has been a key contributor for two veteran-focused initiatives at the station. WPSD's Service & Sacrifice series has profiled local veterans and their patriotism, while WPSD's coverage of the Honor Flight Bluegrass has allowed the community exclusive insight to an incredible trip.
City of Paducah Employee Veterans - Please take a few minutes to view this six-minute video, a special tribute to current City of Paducah employees who have served this country or who currently are serving. We are proud to honor these 52 employees.
- 2020 Veterans Day
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Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Award: WPSD-Local 6 partnered with the City of Paducah to honor 2020 Distinguished Veteran Rubel Ramage and 2020 Patriot Award Winner Katherine Toy on the November 11th Midday newscast. A special thank you to Milner & Orr for sponsoring the beautiful plaques and basket of items that were presented by Mayor Brandi Harless and Mary Beth Orr to Ramage and Toy.
Distinguished Veteran 1st Sgt. Ramage retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970 after serving the country in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Patriot Award winner Katherine Toy is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Among her many contributions to local veterans, she currently is sewing face masks for veterans to protect their health.
City of Paducah Employee Veterans (November 2020): Please take a few minutes to view this nearly six-minute video which is a special tribute to current City of Paducah employees who have served this country or who currently are serving. We are proud to honor these 50 employees.
- 2019 Veterans Day
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City of Paducah Employee Veterans
- 2018 Veterans Day
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