ParadeRest Virginia

06/15/2026

UPDATE: Event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

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On Thursday, June 18th at the Virginia Capitol Building in the House of Delegates, Delegate Amy Laufer will introduce a Commending Resolution (HR 2074) honoring Col. James O'Kelley USMCR (retired).

Col. O'Kelley served 36 years in the USMCR. He is a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War. During his life, he has served his community and his country in other ways as well.

Col. O'Kelley is now bravely fighting a serious health condition which will prevent him from attending the presentation of this resolution. Other veterans are encouraged to be present for this resolution in his place, if they can attend.

The resolution will be presented in the House of Delegates at 10:00 AM on June 18th. Anyone who may be interested in being present at the Capitol to show support for this veteran of Vietnam should try to be there by 9:00 AM. Please contact the office of Delegate Amy Laufer so that she can reserve seating for you in the House Gallery. Her contact information is:

[email protected]

804-698-1055 | 540-251-1055

ParadeRest honors Col. O'Kelley for his many years of service to our country. This recognition of him by the Virginia Legislature is well deserved.

06/09/2026

Some stories don't make the history books. They live in kitchens, on front porches, in the quiet pauses between sentences.

Every veteran carries a story worth preserving, not just what happened, but what it felt like. What it cost. What it meant.

ParadeRest's Nickel for Your Story, our veteran's oral history project, exists to capture those voices before they're lost. Because history isn't only what's recorded. It's what's remembered.

If you know a veteran with a story to tell, share this post. Help us make sure their words outlast the moment. 🎖️ www.ParadeRestVA.org/nickel-for-your-story

06/05/2026

ParadeRest is excited to be part of the Vendor Expo at Living Free's 4OF5k Race tomorrow!

Be sure to stop by our table and learn more about our mission. We'd also love to hear your story! Veterans, service members, and military families are invited to participate in a brief video interview and share their military experiences as part of our History & Education Program.

Every story matters. Every service journey deserves to be remembered.

06/01/2026

Not all wounds are visible. June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month which is of great importance to the veteran community. If you are struggling with PTSD, help is out there. Our Virginia Veteran and Family Support team is standing by ready to assist.

💻 vvn.dvs.virginia.gov

05/29/2026

Arts for ALL FestivALL - A Free Family Friendly Music Festival
June 7th, Ting Pavilion
Activities | 5:00pm, ​Concert | 6:00pm
https://www.charlottesvilleopera.org/festivall.html
Charlottesville Opera

Come explore the arts with activities from Empowered Players, DMR Adventures, The Charlottesville Symphony, Light House Studio, Charlottesville Band, The Paramount Theater, Virginia Theater Festival, and The Oratorio Society of Virginia.
At 6:00pm, experience the uplifting sounds of full orchestra and more than 70 singers as they perform favorites from Broadway and beloved opera classics. Presented in partnership with Charlottesville Ballet, Charlottesville Symphony, and The Oratorio Society of Virginia.

05/26/2026

ParadeRest in the News!
Finding the Fallen is a photographic memorial tribute to local and University of Virginia military personnel who died while serving in times of war. It is an ongoing effort to memorialize those who called this community home before making the ultimate sacrifice.

Ahead of Memorial Day, the Charlottesville nonprofit ParadeRest has set up memorial signs alongside Rugby Road to honor Central Virginia veterans.

05/26/2026

05/25/2026

Some gave years.
Some gave pieces of themselves.
Some gave everything.

This Memorial Day, we pause not only to honor the fallen, but to remember the families, stories, and generations forever shaped by their sacrifice.

May we never become too busy to remember.

05/22/2026

Be safe this weekend and we will see everyone at the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday.
VFW Post 1827 Charlottesville VA