2018 Boise Veterans Parade Theme
Special Salute to WWI Veterans-the war that changed the world 

This year's parade theme, "A Special Salute to WWI Veterans - a war that changed the world”. The effects of World War I drastically altered the global map and changed the course of history.  The Great War caused political, economic and social changes for the United States., elevating its position in the world as a military and industrial leader. At the eleventh-hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War I ended. Even though the war ended a century ago, soldiers who died there still deserve their moment of remembrance.


    2018 GRAND MARSHAL - EARL LEWIS HURT


​We are excited to announce that Earl Lewis Hurt, U.S. Army Sergeant has been posthumously named as our 2018 Boise Veterans Parade Grand Marshal.  Sgt. Hurt represents so many amazing Idaho heroes that served our country in World War I.  Idaho provided over 19,000 soldiers to World War I. Of these 782 died overseas.

Sgt. Hurt was born in Eagle, Idaho on December 10, 1895.  Assigned to the Tank Corps, he was deployed to France in 1917. He was shot while exiting his tank and broke his leg. While he was in rehabilitation for his broken leg, he joined the Army Band playing the trombone.  

Upon being released from the U.S. Army, Sgt. Hurt came back to Boise, got married, and had a son.  They suffered an unimaginable loss, and their son died at the age of 4. Soon after, Sgt. Hurt and his wife divorced.

In 1935, he married the love of his life Catherine O. Mott in Boise Idaho. They had two beautiful children, Carolyn and Kenneth. He also started his own business, Boise Barring and Machine Shop. When barrings were replaced by sleeves, Boise Barring and Machine Shop went out of business. Sgt. Hurt went to work for Peerless Pacific Refrigeration where we repaired large industrial refrigerators. After working hard for many years, he retired in the late 1960s.

Sgt. Hurt was a member of the Veterans of WWI, Sawtooth Barrack #217 and the Boise City Band.

On June 22, 1972 Sgt. Earl Lewis Hurt died in Boise Idaho. He was laid to rest in Dry Creek Cemetery and at the time was survived by his wife, 2 children, and 5 grandchildren.
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The Boise Veterans Parade considers it an honor to have Sgt. Earl Lewis Hurt as our Posthumously Grand Marshal and to have his family represent him in the parade.

Boise Veterans Parade:
MISSION

The Boise Veterans Parade Committee plans, organizes, and conducts a Veterans Day Parade in Boise, Idaho, annually in order to recognize sacrifices and honor the service of all Armed Forces veterans of the United States of America, and heighten community understanding and appreciation of the value of military service to the nation.

INTENT

The Boise Veterans Parade Committee’s intent is to honor veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, by extending written invitations to all military organizations and veterans organizations, and selected universities, colleges, high schools, junior high schools, and youth and civic organizations from all communities in the Boise Area, who, on their agreement to adhere to the parade theme and other parade regulations established by the committee, will be encouraged to enter marching bands and/or other appropriate marching or vehicle units in the parade so that through their participation in the parade and support of the parade theme they will honor the service and sacrifice of both serving members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, and at the same time heighten community awareness of the value of military service to the nation.​

PARADE DAY & ROUTE

 The parade route begins on 10th Street and travels East on Jefferson to 4th Street where it turns South to Bannock, then proceeds West, ending on 11th Street. The 2018 parade is planned to start at 10:15AM on Saturday, November 3rd in downtown Boise, Idaho. A special opening ceremony will begin at 10:00AM on the Idaho State Capital steps. 
                                                       PLEASE NOTE: The start time may change depending on television broadcast schedules.

SUPPORTING THE PARADE

There are three ways to support the parade: (1) View the parade as a spectator; (2) Volunteer to work with the parade committee, especially on parade day; (3) Make a monetary contribution to the parade committee. The committee must pay for various services required of all special events by the City of Boise. Those services include procuring liability insurance, barrier security to ensure the safety of the parade area, portable toilets, and trash disposal. Additionally, the committee has various administrative expenses such as providing certificates to parade participants, vehicle signage, postage, and some advertising expenses. For more information on how you can help, visit the Sponsorship page. 
 
The Veterans Day Parade Committee is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, which means that donations are tax deductible for donors. The committee is registered with the Idaho Secretary of State as an incorporated non-profit organization. Neither commercial nor political advertising is permitted in the parade. 
"The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude." 
Jeff Miller