Manassas Veterans Day Parade starts 11 a.m. Saturday
More than 40 groups are ready to participate in this year’s Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade.
Those who will march in the parade own businesses, are part of civic and volunteer organizations, schools, and as well as Manassas’ Freedom Museum.
This year’s parade begins at 11 a.m. and will begin at the intersection of Prescott Avenue and Quarry Road. Bleachers for parade viewers will be available at City Hall and the corner of West and Church streets. The parade reviewing stand will be at Harris Pavilion at the corner of Center and West streets.
U.S. Marine Sgt. Faris J. Amra, of Manassas, is this year’s parade grand marshal. Here’s more in a press release:
Sergeant Faris will be joined by Osbourn High School classmates and fellow Marines, brother Sergeant Jay Amra, Private First Class M.T. McTavish, Corporal C.W. McGraw, and 1st Lieutenant M. S. Johnson.
Sergeant Amra was born in Manassas, VA on January 25, 1989. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in February of 2008 and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Following completion of Recruit Training, Private First Class Amra was admitted to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger. Upon graduation he was assigned to 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment, where he served as an Automatic Rifleman and Team Leader.
In October of 2009, Lance Corporal Amra deployed to Now Zad District, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He returned from this deployment in April 2010. On June 2, 2010, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal.
In April 2011, Corporal Amra was once again deployed to Afghanistan, this time to Upper Gereshk Valley. On May 17, 2011 Corporal Amra, while on patrol, was wounded when the enemy attacked his patrol with an Improvised Explosive Device and for which action he was awarded the Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing device. Corporal Amra was injured so severely that he lost his right leg below the knee.
In May of 2011, Sergeant Amra was assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion, East, Detachment Bethesda. At this location he did intense physical therapy to re-learn and re-develop walking habits.
Upon his discharge from outpatient status, Sergeant Amra was given an opportunity to be a combat instructor. He served as a senior enlisted instructor at The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with “V”device, Combat Action Ribbon, and Good Conduct medal.
For those driving to see the parade, parking has been prohibited in the parade staging area. There are also several parking lots maintained by the city in which visitors can use.
