Veterans Day started in Bham—here’s the beautiful backstory you need to know [VIDEO]

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Veterans Day is a time to pay tribute to all who have served our country in the U.S. military. For Chris Parker, the annual holiday has another layer of meaning. Parker, Consumer Lending Analyst, VP at Regions in Birmingham, shared the legacy his great-grandfather left by organizing National Veterans Day and how he carries on the family tradition today.

Raymond Weeks led the charge to establish Veterans Day

Raymond Weeks, Chris Parker’s great-grandfather, led the charge to turn Veterans Day into a national holiday that would commemorate all veterans.

Weeks, a Birmingham native, served in the US Navy during World War II. When he returned, he realized that although Armistice Day celebrated the end of the fighting during World War I each year on November 11, there wasn’t a holiday to celebrate those who fought in WWII.

Shortly after WWII, he led a delegation to General Eisenhower, who supported the idea of National Veterans Day. In 1947, Weeks established the first-ever Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham in 1947.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed the bill into law and November 11 officially became known as Veterans Day.

Carrying on Raymond Weeks’ Veterans Day tradition

Three generations later, Parker and his family continue the Veterans Day tradition here in Birmingham by leading the parade.

“Every year, we celebrate by marching in the parade and bringing awareness that Birmingham was the founding city of the Veterans Day Parade. It’s something that we’re proud of and that the whole city can be proud of too.”

Chris Parker, Consumer Lending Analyst, VP, Regions Bank

Parker is proud to carry on the legacy with his family.

“My great-grandfather died before I was born, so unfortunately I never knew him. I’m so proud that my parents, brother, cousins, aunts and uncles still get together each year on November 11 to honor him and all the veterans who have served our country.”

Chris Parker, Consumer Lending Analyst, VP, Regions Bank

For Regions, supporting veterans is a priority all year long

This year marks the 76th National Veterans Day Parade. Regions has been a proud sponsor of the Birmingham parade for more than a decade, and the company celebrates the holiday with many bank-wide programs and recognitions.

According to Steve Beres, Service Member and Veterans Affairs Manager for Regions, the support for military members, veterans and their families is something that Regions keeps top of mind all year.

“Through community involvement, military-friendly products and services and efforts to employ and develop veterans, military members and their spouses, we are committed to making life better for those who serve and their families.”

Steve Beres, Service Members and Veterans Affairs Manager, Regions Bank

Through serving veterans and beyond, Regions plays a large role in the Birmingham community—check out more incredible stories like this one.

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This is an update to an article originally written by Callie Puryear in 2022.