Tidewater Prepares for Annual Veterans Day Procession
The Hampton Roads region will pause to honor military service across generations next week, bringing veterans, active-duty units, and local organizations together for the 2026 Tidewater Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony.
Set for Nov. 11, the observance opens at 9 a.m. with a procession kicking off at 16th Street and Atlantic Avenue. The route wraps up near the Tidewater Veterans Memorial, situated across from the Virginia Beach Convention Center at 1000 19th St. The entire morning schedule is free and open to the public.
All Six Military Branches Represented in Flyover
Designated as a regional event by the Veterans Administration, the parade features a flyover staged by the Military Aviation Museum. Marching contingents will span the breadth of the nation’s defense apparatus, drawing personnel from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Forces, and Coast Guard to represent regional installations.
Generations of Conflict Veterans Join Municipal Leaders
Veterans spanning several major twentieth and twenty-first-century conflicts are scheduled to participate in the procession. Former service members from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom will participate alongside Tidewater municipal leaders, veterans support groups, regional high school marching bands, and local Scout troops.
Memorial Site Ceremony Follows March
A formal ceremony featuring military, federal, state, and local dignitaries will immediately follow the parade at the memorial site. The observance is presented by the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations and co-sponsored by American Gold Star Mothers Inc.
Those seeking further details regarding the morning’s schedule can contact Daniel Doyle, president of the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations, at 757-348-0884 or via email at dandoyle615@gmail.com. Additional information is available through the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations.
Permanent Paver Program Continues at Adjacent Park
Beyond the parade route, a tribute program continues at the William L. “Billy” Myers Sr. Veterans Memorial Park, located adjacent to the Tidewater Veterans Memorial. Any individual who has served in any branch of the United States Armed Services is eligible for recognition through a dedicated paving stone.
The park offers two sizes of memorial pavers, with the names of newly added veterans read during the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Proceeds from the paver program benefit the Virginia Beach Mayor’s Committee for Veterans. Residents and groups interested in placing an order can review specifications and submit requests through the Virginia Beach Mayor’s Committee for Veterans portal.
