On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, resident and inpatient veterans at VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville were treated to a parade in honor of Independence Day.
All along the winding route through the 400-acre complex, a parade of motorcycles, jeeps, and classic cars rolled by as veterans waved and saluted. Many of the parade entries played “The Star-Spangled Banner” and other patriotic songs as they drove past the onlookers.
For the parade Grand Marshall, David Dixon — a Danville-area veteran who served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman in the American war in Vietnam from 1969 to 1972 — seeing the support from around the area touched a heartstring.
“It was fantastic,” Dixon said, smiling. “It makes me feel that it was all worth it, you know? The time I spent in the service and everything. [The parade] made me feel like it was just really worth it.”
For Dixon and many others, the VA offers not only much-needed healthcare but the opportunity to heal more holistically.
“Part of their time here at VA focuses on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing, and we try to provide as many accessible, safe, quality recreation opportunities as we can,” said Zackary Landers, public affairs specialist at the VA Illiana Health Care System.
Other community members also participated in the parade, including Philip Shipley, who drove the lead car, escorting Dixon.
Shipley comes from a long line of veterans, dating back to the War of 1812, he says. He is passionate about assisting veterans. Having been denied the opportunity to serve his country as a military man, Shipley has found other ways to serve.
“I was the past Attachment Commander of the Sons of the American Legion, Post 287,” said Shipley, who has volunteered as a courtesy shuttle driver around the complex for the past year.
The Independence Day parade is just one of many such events and celebrations that take place throughout the calendar year at the VA Illiana complex, all designed to uplift the spirits of those who served.
“Parades like this just go so far into not only showing that VA appreciates and salutes their service, but that the community does as well. This brings together entities and organizations all across our catchment area. It’s just such a strong show of support and really, a thanks for what they’ve done for our country,” Landers said.