Veterans Home Hosts Seventh Annual Veterans Day Parade

Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home honored those who served with its seventh annual parade ahead of Veterans Day.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Civic

Photograph of American flags lining a tree-shaded street in front of a low brick building, with folded lawn chairs in the foreground. — The Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Monroe hosted its seventh annual Veterans Day parade, honoring local veterans ahead of the national holiday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home hosted its seventh annual Veterans Day parade in Monroe, Louisiana, celebrating veterans who have served. The event took place ahead of Veterans Day and brought the community together.

Why it matters

The parade gives local veterans a chance to reflect on their military service and connects them with neighbors in Monroe. Annual community observances like this one keep recognition of service visible beyond the national holiday itself.

This is the seventh annual Veterans Day parade held at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home, marking six prior years of the event. Attendance and the number of participating veterans were not reported.

The players

Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home

A state-run veterans care facility in Monroe, Louisiana, that serves former members of the U.S. armed forces.

Charles Koehler

A Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army and was recognized at the parade.

Michael Murphy

A Vietnam veteran who served 30 years in the U.S. Navy and was recognized at the parade.

Marc VanDerKarr

A veteran who spent over 17 years in the U.S. Army and was recognized at the parade.

The details

Veterans were honored at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home during the parade, which was held ahead of Veterans Day. Veterans Charles Koehler, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army, and Michael Murphy, a Vietnam veteran who served 30 years in the U.S. Navy, were among those recognized, along with Marc VanDerKarr, who spent over 17 years in the U.S. Army.

Ahead of Veterans Day (November 11): Seventh annual Veterans Day parade held at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home.

Season Trajectory

The parade extends the national Veterans Day observance, which Congress formalized in 1954, into a recurring local event now in its seventh year. Its continuation reflects the annual tradition of honoring veterans at the community level.

Residents of Monroe can attend community Veterans Day events, and the parade offers a local occasion to recognize former service members. Families with veterans in the area may find the event a direct way to participate in local recognition efforts.

The takeaway

Local observances such as this parade show how communities keep national holidays personal by honoring the neighbors who served. Taking part in events like these is one simple way to recognize veterans where you live.