Navarro-Garcia Patriot Award

2024 Michael Thornton, U.S. Navy Seal, Medal of Honor Recipient, Vietnam 1973

2023 Chris Cassidy, Afghanistan Navy Seal, NASA Astronaut

2022 Lt. Col. William D. Swenson, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor Recipient, Afghanistan, 2009

2021 Lee William "Bill" McNutt, III    Co-Founder - State Funeral for World War Veterans

2020 Hershel "Woody" Williams, WWII Veteran, USMC, Medal of Honor Recipient, Iwo Jima

2019 Fiske Hanley, WWII Veteran, Air Force, Japanese POW, American Hero

Texas Governor Beauford Jester Award

Given to the Texas Veterans Parade Volunteer who is a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces and who makes the greatest contribution to the Texas Veterans Parade in Corsicana in a given year.   This person demonstrates during the year vital qualities of leadership including inspiring others, creativity and getting things accomplished.  The award is named for Beauford Jester from Corsicana who served his country in World War I and as the 36th Governor of Texas.

2024 Tim Easley, Navarro County Veterans Services, Sr. Pastor at Cedar Creek Missionary Baptist Church

2023 Dr. Karen Kopp, Military Veteran, Corsicana Independent School System

2022 Major Kevin Eubanks, U.S. Army, Retired

2021 Billy Richards, Veteran and Parade Chairman for the Texas Veterans Parade

2020 Retired COL Kathy Meisetschleager, USAF

2019 Retired Navy Captain Joe Hill, CEO of the Texas Veterans Parade

 

 

James Acree Award

Given to the Texas Veterans Parade Volunteer of the year who is not a military veteran.  To a person who has worked during the last year with great determination and effort to making the Texas Veterans Parade in Corsicana, Texas a success.  This award is named for James Acree, a Veteran of the Korean War who served as Corsicana High School's football coach from 1960 to 1966, winning the AAA Texas State Championship in 1963 with a perfect record of 14-0. Jim Acree was a man of great determination and perseverance. His qualities are embodied in this award.

2024 Stacie Sipes, Executive Director of Marketing, Navarro College

2023 Kim Boals, Texas Veterans Parade Volunteer

2022 Martin Blanchard, Texas Veterans Parade Treasurer

2021 Barbara Watkins, Daughters of the American Revolution

2020 Elizabeth Green Brown, Community National Bank

2019 Ms. Judy Dunavant, Daughters of the America Revolution.

Joe Barton - Ron Wright Congressional Trophy

Awarded annually to a government official who has demonstrated love for Veterans and done the most to promote the mission of the Texas Veterans Parade organization during the past year.  It is named for two Congressmen who represented Navarro County for over 36 years.

In 1984, Joe Barton was first elected to Congress from the 6th congressional district of Texas when three-term incumbent Phil Gramm left his seat to successfully run for the U.S. Senate.  He served for 34 years and rose to become Chair of the House Energy Committee. Congressman Ron Wright was elected to Congress in November of 2018, upon the retirement of Congressman Barton.   Congressman Ron Wright had a special place in his heart for Veterans and served till his death of cancer in February of 2021.

Congressman Joe Barton helped locate the Veterans’ cemetery in Grand Prairie and Congressman Wright worked hard to bring the Medal of Honor Museum to Arlington, Texas.

2024 Connie Standridge, Corsicana City Manager

2023 Texas State Senator Bob Hall

2022 Texas State Senator Brian Birdwell, recipient of the Military Order of the Purple Heart

2021 Judge H.M. Davenport.  County Judge, Navarro County