HEROES AMONG US
The Kentucky Veterans Parade celebrates the Heroes Among Us — veterans living and working in our community who deserve recognition for their service and sacrifice. We invite the community to nominate veterans to be part of a special recognition unit in the parade. Twelve veterans will be selected for special recognition during the event. Whether they walk or ride, we want to honor their service and share their story with the community.
Submit your nomination in the form below.
“Getting to nominate my father and watching him berecognized as a Hero Among Us was one of the most meaningful momentsof my life.”
Dierdra Hutchins
Daughter of SPC James Jefferies
2025 Heroes Among Us
Sgt Robert Auslander
Branch: Marines
Served: 1963 - 1967
Deployed: Vietnam
A1C Conrad Bachmann
Rank: Airman First Class, Special Services
Branch: Air Force
Served: 1951 - 1955
Deployed: Japan
SCPO Steven Brown
Branch: Navy
Served: 1994 - 2016
Deployed: 250 Combat Operations
CPT Gary Clark, Sr.
Branch: Army
Served: 1987 - 2021
Roles: Combat Engineer, Intelligence Specialist, Medic, Chaplain
COL Glenn Fisher
Branch: U.S. Army
Served: 1942 – 1980
Deployed: WWII - Europe
SGT James Flaherty
Branch: Army
Served: 1968 - 1970
Deployed: Vietnam
SSG Earl Gausepohl
Branch: Army
Served: 1943 - 1946
Deployed: WWII – Pacific
SSgt Damon Hawkins
Branch: Marine Corps
Served: 1943 – 1952
Deployed: WWII - South Pacific
SPC James Jeffries
Branch: Army
Served: 1968 - 1972
Deployed: Vietnam
PFC Michael Johnson
Branch: Army
Served: 1999 - 2003
PFC Eric Keeling
Branch: Army
Served: 1990 - 1991
Deployed: Desert Storm/Desert Shield
PFC Wilfried Luescher
Branch: Army
Served: 1953 - 1955
Deployed: Korea
SPC Donald Payton
Branch: Army
Served: 1967 - 1969
Deployed: Vietnam
SGT Lee Smith
Branch: Army Air Service Corps
Served: 1943 - 1946
MSgt Walter Thomas Smith
Branch: Air Force
Served: 1954 – 58 + KY National Guard 1977 - 1999
CPL William Mansfield Smith
Branch: Army
Served: 1953 - 1955