On Saturday, the Abilene Freedom Foundation hosted the Freedom Veterans Parade through Downtown. Besides renaming the annual Veteran’s Day Parade organizers made it into a competition. First place earned $1,000, second place $500, and third place $250. But participants and crowds showed up to honor Abilene’s veterans.
Murphy Rhodes is a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served in Vietnam and retired as a naval commander. Murphy and his wife have attended the annual Veteran’s Day Parade for several years. Rhodes says that West Texas is very patriotic and respectful towards veterans, “Abilene’s always been strong supporters of the military, and we’re blessed to have it here. And of course, we have all branches represented here in Abilene. There’s a common bond there if you served. So I wear my hat still showing that I retired from the military, and I get lots of people thanking me for my service. Probably more now than when I first came back from Vietnam.”
Winners at this years parade included Doris Jean Armstrong Ramblin Red Roses Hat Society in the Parade Floats category, Shaun Lemke in the Veteran Owned Vehicles category, Texas Jeep Bratz in the Riding Clubs, Teams & Individuals category, Hardin Simmons Cowboy Band, and Owen Medley in the Antique Vehicle category.