‘This is really a service-oriented town’: Hundreds march together Saturday to pay homage to veterans in Jacksonville

2023 Veterans Day Parade in Jacksonville (Copyright 2023 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of people marched together Saturday to pay homage to our local veterans in the Veterans Day Parade hosted by the City of Jacksonville.

The 2023 parade route began at 11:01 a.m. on Gator Bowl Boulevard behind Daily’s Place and continued west to Bay Street. The route then continued on Bay Street heading west and ended right before the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.

Recommended Videos



“It was awesome! It was great, it was good, it was fun!” Genevieve and Orlando said.

This parade filled with music, dancing, and sentimental tributes meant the world to World War II Veteran John Connelly.

“It’s uplifting. When I got out of service, I was forgotten about completely for about 70 years or so. Then when I retired and came down to Jacksonville, I realized that I was a veteran and that this is really a service-oriented town,” Connelly said.

Another World War II veteran also shared a similar experience.

“My dad is 100 years old. This gentleman Roxwell Robinson Senior had the time of his life. We’re so happy to have shared this experience. The City of Jacksonville gets 15 stars for a wonderful experience!” Roxwell’s daughter said.

Another year of honoring American heroes.


About the Authors

This native of the Big Apple joined the News4Jax team in July 2021.

Marcela joined News4JAX in 2023. She grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Now, she is a proud San Diego State University alumna who has many years of experience in TV and digital journalism.

Recommended Videos