United in Service: 1776–2026

Saturday, November 14, 2026 · 10 AM · Downtown Boise

This year's parade marks 250 years of American service and sacrifice.

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Every year, we hear from families across Idaho like this one. This is what one veteran's wife wrote to us after watching him at the parade, in her own words:

  • Good Morning, I was talking to my husband who is a 23 yr Retired Army Veteran.  He was awarded with many many awards, but the ones he keeps in a safe deposit box are a Bronze Star w/ V badge, and a total of 3 purple hearts.  He was on a total of 8 deployments and took 4 different shots during those.  The last one thru his neck causing him to have to relearn how to walk, talk, and write.  He beat the odds only to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016.  With a 5% survival rate they again told him to he had only a few months left.  He told them "I have been to hell and back, you are not the first doctors to give up on me, and more than likely will not be the last."  He told me he would fight the cancer just like he fought everything else, with every ounce of fight he had.  Today he is cancer free and fights pancreatic disease daily.  He is my soulmate.   We met in the 6th grade and have been together ever since.  24 years of marriage and 2 adult kids who grew up with him being away.  I don't know how or what it takes to get a Veteran in your parade but thought I would ask.  He would never put himself out there as he always tells me and everyone else who asks about it.  "I volunteered to do a job; I am no different than every other American who does their jobs daily.  They make America great, just like I do.". 

    KEEP READING ➔

  • I was able to get him to actually go and watch from a distance. He didn't know it but we recorded him as the flag walked by and as the purple heart group also went by. He saluted the entire time and dropped to a knee in prayer when the MIA/POW flag went down the street. He goes to the Veterans Cemetery 4 times a year. His grandfather, and grandmother are buried in Dry Creek which is attached with the Veterans Cemetery. His best friend, is buried is buried in the front section of row e. He visits him for hours and hours, and Saturday was different except this time he left his entire cluster of medals off his dress uniform. His biggest issue is his family doesn't understand what he had to do and why he is so isolated from them. It hurts him each and every day that his own mother, father, brothers and sisters tell each other. He was a warehouse manager, how did he get shot, how he helped 300 5th and 6th graders from being kidnapped and either raped, sold or killed. Sorry for my rambling but I am very happy you held that event. It's the first one since his last day in uniform that I have able to get him to go an event around the military. He says "its nothing but a job hunny, every American would have done exactly what I did...the proof in that is the shame I get from my own family".

    Thanks again, and God Bless.

    Thanks for your time,

    Wife of Retired Master Sgt U.S. Army.

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OUR MISSION

Every November, Boise comes together to say thank you. The Idaho Veterans Parade — organized entirely by volunteers — honors the service and sacrifice of every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and brings the community out to show it. Veteran and military organizations, schools, scout troops, marching bands, and civic groups from across the Treasure Valley are invited to march; everyone else is invited to line the route and cheer them on.

A man in a black jacket and cap waving while riding in a vintage red Corvette convertible with white-wall tires, during a parade or event on a city street.
People participating in a walkathon holding a banner that reads "Help us Fight the War on Veteran Suicide," promoting awareness for veteran mental health. The banner displays social media handles and the message in red text at the bottom.
People standing on a decorated parade float holding American flags, wearing jackets and hats, with a city building in the background.
Group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms marching in formation during fall, with a yellow tree and historic building in the background.
A military-style Jeep decorated with American flags and Vietnam veterans of America banners participating in a parade. The vehicle has a sign with '6D' on the windshield, and a person in camouflage gear is sitting inside. The background includes bric
Young girl with long brown hair wearing a white beanie, black gloves, and a black jacket with white stripes, holding a pole or stick and smiling.
Group of marching band members playing woodwind instruments outdoors, wearing matching uniforms and black beanies.
Three children sitting outside, smiling, holding red, white, and blue decorated flowers and bunting. They are dressed warmly, one with a white hat, another with a blue beanie, and the third with pink dog-ear hair clips. There is a large blue and whit
A black vehicle with a sign supporting those on the front line, displaying the message, supporting those on the front line past, present and future.
Two young girls smiling in raincoats and hats during a parade, holding a decorated float or banner, with umbrellas in the background.
A group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms standing and walking on a city street, with military vehicles in the background.
Two women standing behind a table at a charity hospitality event, smiling. One is wearing glasses, a black and white checkered shirt, and a black apron. The other is wearing a gray cap, black jacket, and red apron. There are green beverage dispensers
A decorated parade float celebrating the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force, featuring a large sign with wings, an American flag, military insignias, model airplanes, and red, white, and blue streamers, parked on a city street with buildings and
A parade float featuring a vintage cannon and two men dressed in historical clothing, moving along a wet city street with store fronts and a pedestrian in the background, decorated with an American flag.
Three senior adults sitting in a military vehicle decorated with American flags during a parade, with a church and autumn trees in the background.
A person salutes as a military honor guard stands holding flags in front of a government building with stairs and columns.
Group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms marching across a wet city street during a parade or procession.
Utility workers using bucket trucks to hang an American flag on a flagpole in a city street with historic government building and autumn trees in the background
A military parade with four service members marching in uniform and carrying American and military flags on a city street, with a tank in the background and autumn trees.
Vintage black car with red wheels participating in parade, spectators with umbrellas watching from the sidewalk, trees, city buildings, and a street sign in the background.
Three smiling young girls dressed in patriotic clothing, celebrating with red, white, and blue decorations, standing under a large umbrella.
Three young girl scouts holding a banner at a parade. The banner reads 'Girl Scouts of Silver Sage' and displays the website www.girlscouts-ssc.org. They are dressed warmly with rain gear and hats, and there are other parade participants in the backg
Group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms marching in a parade on a city street, with military vehicles visible behind them and city buildings in the background.
Three elderly individuals sitting in a vintage military vehicle during a parade with American flags, trees with fall foliage, and a church in the background

WHAT WE DO

The Idaho Veterans Parade Committee plans, organizes, and conducts a Veterans Parade in Boise, Idaho, annually to recognize sacrifices and honor the service of all Armed Forces Veterans of the United States of America.

Our goal is to honor our veterans by extending written invitations to all military, veteran, and civic organizations, selected universities, high schools, junior high schools, youth groups from communities throughout the Treasure Valley and encourage marching bands, floats, boys and girl scout units in the parade so that through their participation and support of the parade theme, they will honor the service and sacrifice of both serving members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America and at the same time heighten community awareness of the value of military service to the nation.​

Committee Members

Get Involved

  • Two women smiling and standing behind a table at a community event, with a banner partially visible behind them, and containers on the table.

    Build it.

    It takes a lot of work to put together one of Boise’s largest parades. We need volunteers before, during and after the parade to help with various tasks.

    Be a Volunteer
  • Street with electrical work crews installing a large American flag on lift baskets, over a city intersection with traffic lights, trees, and buildings.

    Grow it.

    The parade could not be possible without generous donations from our sponsors. Donations are tax deductible.

    See our Other Sponsors

    Donate
  • Three children dressed in patriotic clothing, sitting in a decorated vehicle with an umbrella overhead.

    Be In it.

    Want to ride, walk or trot in the parade?

    Whether you represent a local business, a school, or a hometown organization, sign up now to be a part of this meaningful event.

    All entries are welcome to apply!

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