VFW Post 8577 holds 48th annual parade

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The start of the 48th annual Veterans Day parade began with cannon fire at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8577 on Veterans Avenue on Saturday morning.
More than 50 units headed out along the route that began at the post on Veterans Avenue and continued to Main Street through downtown Copperas Cove, and then turned east on Avenue D. 
Hundreds of residents lined the streets of the parade route and waved American flags which were distributed by the Exchange Club of Copperas Cove, to honor those who served in the armed forces via their “Give a Kid a Flag” initiative. 
The theme for this year’s parade was “All Veterans, All Wars.”
Serving as grand marshals were Ret. 1SGT Henri “Hank” Grenier, World War II veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor and Vietnam veteran, and his wife, Donna, who also received that honor along with WWII veteran and lifelong resident, 101-year-old Victor Krempin.
After the parade ended, activities continued at the VFW post, with the post serving up its traditional Veterans Day lunch of pinto beans and cornbread, along with dessert.
The Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors served as judges for the parade entries and trophies were awarded to the winners at the VFW Post after the parade. 
The Best Float award went to the Five Hills royalty, whose new float made its Copperas Cove debut in Saturday’s parade. 
Best Marching Unit went to Boy Scouts Troop 258, with GymKix receiving second place. 
The Copperas Cove JROTC honor guard were also given an award. 
The Best Car/Truck unit went to Cove Blue Santa, with second place being awarded to 1943 Willis Jeep. 
The award for the Best Mounted Division went to the Centex Saddle Club, with second place going to the Lampasas Saddle Club. 
Best Band was the Copperas Cove High School’s Pride of Cove Band and Color Guard.