Century-Old WWII Veteran to Lead Annual Procession
GOLDSBORO, N.C. — The Wayne County Veterans & Patriots Coalition will host its annual Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in downtown Goldsboro, continuing a beloved county tradition that honors those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Grand Marshal Celebrates Service and Longevity
This year’s parade will be led by Grand Marshal Thurston Quinn, a 99-year-old World War II Army combat veteran who will celebrate his 100th birthday on December 14. Quinn’s military career began in 1943 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army following his high school graduation. After basic training, his platoon was deployed to France, where he saw combat in multiple European theaters including Luxembourg and Germany.
Quinn’s distinguished service earned him two Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge, and an Occupation Badge, making him a fitting representative for the day’s festivities.
Parade Details and Route
The parade lineup will commence at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of South Center Street and Spruce St. The procession will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m.
According to Eric Busse, President of the Wayne County Veterans & Patriots Coalition, organizers are anticipating strong participation this year, with numerous individuals and groups having already expressed interest or submitted entries.
How to Participate
Community members wishing to participate in the parade can download an application form at waynegov.com by navigating to Services, selecting Veteran Services from the dropdown menu, clicking Veterans Day Parade, and downloading the application. There are no entry fees, and all entries must carry, display, or exhibit patriotic themes.
Completed applications should be submitted to Danitra Shuford, Veterans Services Assistant, at the Veteran Services Office, 2001-D E. Ash Street, Goldsboro, NC 27533, or by fax at 919-731-1685. The deadline for entries is noon on Friday, November 7.
For questions or additional information, contact Ms. Shuford at veteranservices@waynegov.com or 919-731-1490 (Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-noon), or Brian Volk at veterans.patriots2@gmail.com or 919-222-6673.
Memorial Service to Follow
Following the parade, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will conduct a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. at the Wayne County Veterans Memorial, located at the intersection of North William Street and East Walnut Street, across from the County Courthouse.
The Wayne County Veterans & Patriots Coalition encourages all residents to take a moment on Veterans Day to celebrate and honor all veterans who have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States.
