Veterans Day Awards and Events

2024 Veterans Day Celebration

Sunrise Reveille

The 2024 Veterans Day Sunrise Reveille began around 6:15 a.m. on Monday, November 11 at the Vietnam Veterans Monument in Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza.  A short ceremony which included the playing of Reveille and the raising of the flag at sunrise, 6:29 a.m. Coffee and donuts were provided after the ceremony. Parking was available around Dolly McNutt Plaza. Washington Street between 5th and 6th Streets were closed for the event.

Veterans Day Opening Ceremony

The 2024 Veterans Day Opening Ceremony was held Monday, November 11 at 10 a.m. at Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza. The ceremony recognized award recipients: Distinguished Veteran James Michael Smith, and Patriot Award Winner Mark Bryant. Smith and Bryant served as the parade's grand marshals. Students who are winners of the Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest were recognized.

Veterans Day Parade

The parade began at 11 a.m. at 6th and Washington Streets and travelled along 6th Street before turning right on Broadway and heading toward the riverfront. At Water Street, the parade turned left and disbanded at Water & Jefferson Street.

Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Awards

Distinguished Veteran Award - For the Distinguished Veteran Award, preference is given to candidates who currently reside in McCracken County and stay active and involved in their community.  Anyone, male or female, who has served in any branch of the military may be nominated. To nominate a veteran please submit the Distinguished Veteran Award Application to the Paducah Parks & Recreation Office or mailed to Distinguished Veteran Award Committee, 2701 Park Ave, Paducah, KY 42001. Applications are due October 24, 2024.

Patriot Award - The Patriot Award is presented to a non-veteran, a citizen who dedicates his or her time to serving veterans and veteran causes in this community.  To nominate a veteran please submit the Patriot Award Application to the Paducah Parks & Recreation Office or mailed to Patriot Award Committee, 2701 Park Ave, Paducah, KY 42001.  Applications are due October 24, 2024.

Poster & Essay Contest 

Students are invited to submit entries for the Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest organized by Paducah Parks & Recreation and the Paducah Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. The contest is for all K-12 students in Paducah and McCracken County. Judging will be in five divisions:

• Grades K & 1: Jobs Which Support the Military (8 1/2” x 11” Poster, original artwork)
• Grades 2 & 3: Support Jobs in the Military (non-fighting) (8 1/2” x 11” Poster, original artwork)
• Grades 4 & 5: 100-150 word essay. Theme: Military Jobs Which Support Those Who Fight
• Grades 6-8: 150-200 word essay. Theme: Off the Battlefield: Diversity of Job/Careers Within the Military
• Grades 9-12: 200-400 word essay. Theme: Beyond the Battlefield: The Diversity of Military Careers

First, second, and third place winners will be selected from each grade division with the City of Paducah providing cash awards. First place winners will receive $75. Second place winners will receive $50 with each third place winner receiving $25. 

The following must be included with each entry:  student’s name, grade, name of school and teacher, and a parent/guardian's phone number or email address. Entries must be the original work of the student. Entries are due October 24, 2024. Entries can dropped off at the Parks & Recreation Office at 2701 Park Ave or mailed to

City of Paducah Employee Veterans

Please take a few minutes to view the nearly six-minute video (below) from November 2024. This is a special tribute to current City of Paducah employees who have served this country or currently are serving. We are proud to honor these 43 employees. 

Past Veterans Day Events

2023 Veterans Day

Please take a few minutes to view the nearly six-minute video (below), a special tribute to current City of Paducah employees who have served this country or currently are serving. We are proud to honor these 46 employees. 

 

2022 Veterans Day

Grades K-2 - 2022 Winners

• Lena Osborne, 1st Grade, Hendron Lone Oak Elementary
• Karlie Morris, 1st Grade, Hendron Lone Oak Elementary
• Oliver Kate Barnhill, 2nd Grade, Clark Elementary

 

Grades 9-12 - Winners

• Zayna Yazigi, 10th Grade, St. Mary High School
• Ellie Roof, 12th Grade, St. Mary High School
• David DeNeve, 11th Grade, St. Mary High School

 

Grades 6-8 - 2022 Winners

• Jakiyah Waldon, 6th Grade, Paducah Middle School
• Luke Whiteside, 8th Grade, Lone Oak Middle School
• Zoe E. Wadley, 6th Grade, Paducah Middle School
• Channing Seaton, 4th Grade, Clark Elementary

 

Grades 3-5 - 2022 Winners

• Eli Hughes, 4th Grade, Concord Elementary
• Ryann Abell, 3rd Grade, Heath Elementary

2021 Veterans Day

Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Award:  WPSD-Local 6 partnered with the City of Paducah to honor 2021 Distinguished Veteran Patricia Ann Mack and Patriot Award winner Perry Boxx on the November 11th Midday newscast. A special thank you to Milner & Orr for sponsoring the beautiful plaques that were presented by City Commissioner Sandra Wilson and Mary Beth Orr. 

Patricia Ann Mack is a veteran of the United States Air Force. In addition to receiving this award, Mack was presented with a Quilt of Valor. Since Mack retired from the Air Force, she has become a dedicated volunteer to many community organizations. Mack has completed the Citizens Police Academy and works with the volunteer police service during Halloween on Jefferson Street, Barbecue on the River and the Iron Man Half Marathon.

Patriot Award winner Perry Boxx has been a key contributor for two veteran-focused initiatives at the station. WPSD's Service & Sacrifice series has profiled local veterans and their patriotism, while WPSD's coverage of the Honor Flight Bluegrass has allowed the community exclusive insight to an incredible trip.

City of Paducah Employee Veterans - Please take a few minutes to view this six-minute video, a special tribute to current City of Paducah employees who have served this country or who currently are serving.  We are proud to honor these 52 employees. 

2020 Veterans Day

Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Award:  WPSD-Local 6 partnered with the City of Paducah to honor 2020 Distinguished Veteran Rubel Ramage and 2020 Patriot Award Winner Katherine Toy on the November 11th Midday newscast.  A special thank you to Milner & Orr for sponsoring the beautiful plaques and basket of items that were presented by Mayor Brandi Harless and Mary Beth Orr to Ramage and Toy. 

Distinguished Veteran 1st Sgt. Ramage retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970 after serving the country in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. 

Patriot Award winner Katherine Toy is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Among her many contributions to local veterans, she currently is sewing face masks for veterans to protect their health. 

City of Paducah Employee Veterans (November 2020):  Please take a few minutes to view this nearly six-minute video which is a special tribute to current City of Paducah employees who have served this country or who currently are serving.  We are proud to honor these 50 employees.

2019 Veterans Day

City of Paducah Employee Veterans

 

2018 Veterans Day