Midland Hosts Second Annual Veterans Celebration
The Midland Veterans Partnership's parade and community celebration at Centennial Park honored local veterans on Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Civic
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The Midland Veterans Partnership held its second annual Veterans Community Celebration on Saturday, featuring a parade sponsored by the Midland RockHounds. Bonham Athletes won first place in the parade, followed by the Midland-Odessa Navy Recruitment team and the N.E. Volunteer Fire Department.
Why it matters
The celebration gives Midland residents a dedicated local observance honoring veterans, following a question raised by a local radio station about why the city did not hold a Veterans Day parade. It also connects veterans with community resources and local businesses.
The event is the second annual celebration, following a first edition held the previous year. Wreaths Across America, represented at the event, has placed wreaths at approximately 5,000 cemeteries since its founding in 1992.
The players
Midland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team that sponsored the parade and announced its winners, offering 2027 game-ticket packages to the top three finalists.
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 that places wreaths on veterans' graves at cemeteries across the country and abroad.
Permian Basin Honor Flight
Permian Basin Honor Flight is a program that takes local veterans on trips to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to their service.
The details
The celebration at Centennial Park included a Kids Zone, food trucks, a Veteran Resource Village, veteran-owned business vendors, guest speakers, and a veteran proclamation. The Eli Young band performed a free concert, and Permian Basin Honor Flight was in attendance.
Timeline
Saturday: Second annual Veterans Community Celebration held at Centennial Park.
Dec. 19: Wreaths Across America will seek volunteers to lay wreaths on veterans' graves.
Civic Traditions
The Midland celebration follows the model of Wreaths Across America, which began at Arlington National Cemetery and has since expanded to roughly 5,000 cemeteries. Local observances like this one extend that national effort into everyday community life.
Residents can attend future community celebrations and volunteer opportunities through local veterans organizations. The Eli Young concert was offered free of charge at Centennial Park.
The takeaway
Community observances like this parade give residents a direct way to honor veterans and connect with local veteran-serving organizations. Volunteering for events such as the December wreath-laying offers a practical way to take part.
What happens next
Wreaths Across America will seek volunteers to lay wreaths on veterans' graves on Dec. 19, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more local civic news coverage across Midland.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Midland Reporter-Telegram.
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