The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is teaming with Hamilton County, the City of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council to hold a special Patriot Day and “Welcome Home” Parade on Monday to honor the country’s newest Medal of Honor recipient, Army Captain Larry L. Taylor, a native of the city and an American war hero.
The general public are invited to line Market Street for the parade and in front of the Heritage Center at the Aquarium Plaza to witness this historical parade honoring Captain Taylor, who has just returned to Chattanooga after receiving the Medal of Honor at the White House on Tuesday.
For those who cannot attend, the parade will also be streamed live at http://www.mohhc.org.
The parade will officially start at 11:30 a.m.
with a special flyover of a vintage Cobra AH1 helicopter – which was the helicopter Captain Taylor was flying during his Medal of Honor action – and a modern-day Army Apache Helicopter from the Army’s 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell. Both helicopters will conduct their flyover down the parade route on Market Street in downtown Chattanooga. The parade will conclude with a special ceremony at 1 p.m. in front of the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center where local, state and national dignitaries will make comments honoring Captain Taylor and his act of valor on June 18, 1968, that saved four lives during the Vietnam War.
Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Taylor will serve as the grand marshal for the parade. Leading the parade down Market Street will be the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard that will represent Fort Riley and the U.S. Army in a highly professional and polished display of cavalry horsemanship and military tradition. These men and women portray the U.S. Cavalry as they appeared in the mid to late 19th century.
Following the Mounted Color Guard will be the 1st Infantry Division Band, which is the musical ambassador for the United States' premier fighting force. The Big Red One Band represents the 1st Infantry Division for military ceremonies and the communities that support the American Soldier.
The parade will also feature a variety of high school bands and JROTC units from schools located throughout Hamilton County and the surrounding community. In addition, ROTC units from universities throughout the region will be marching in the parade alongside various local businesses and veteran organizations representing all branches of the military and the different wars and conflicts that have occurred during the country’s history.
At approximately 1 p.m., the parade will conclude with an official ceremony at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
Speaking at the ceremony will be the following dignitaries:
- Medal of Honor Recipient Leroy Petry, president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society;
- Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally;
- Brigadier General Niave Knell, Deputy Commanding General for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division;
- Congressman Chuck Fleischmann;
- Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly;
- Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp;
- SGT David Hill (USA, Ret.), last surviving member of the Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol rescued by Captain Taylor on June 18, 1968; and
- General BB Bell (USA, Ret.), chairman of the National Advisory Board for the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
The ceremony should conclude no later than 2 p.m.
The public is invited to visit the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center and learn more about Captain Taylor and other Medal of Honor recipients associated with the region, as well as explore why Chattanooga is known as the birthplace of the Medal of Honor.
To honor Captain Taylor as the 33rd Tennessean to receive the Medal of Honor and unveil the temporary gallery exhibit on his Medal of Honor action, the Heritage Center will open its doors for free admission from noon-3:30 p.m. on Monday.
To learn more, visit https://www.mohhc.org/larrytaylor.