A "Welcome Home" parade will be held in Downtown Bedford this Saturday for the Virginia National Guard troops returning from a year-long deployment.
The parade route will start from the parking lot of Liberty Station Restaurant, proceed East on Bedford Avenue, turn South on N. Bridge Street to the corner of E. Main Street where Green’s Drugstore is. It will then turn East to continue on E. Main Street where it will end at the steps of the Bedford County Courthouse.
In November 2021, the Bedford-based Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 29th Infantry Division left on a one year, out of country deployment as part of “Operation Red Dragon” in support of the Combined Joint Task Force to the Horn of Africa.
Performing on the steps of the County Courthouse for all spectators will be the “Military Medley” music of the 29th Infantry Division Band.
Children along the parade route will be given free American flags.
Ken Parker, executive director of the Bedford Boys Tribute Center, says a similar parade was held 82 years ago.
"On February 18, 1941, our own beloved 'Bedford Boys' of Company A left home with a thrilling farewell parade on East Main Street led by the well known Bedford Firemen's Band."
For more information about the Welcome Home parade, please visit the Bedford Boys Tribute Center website or Facebook page.