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Florissant Veteran of the Year
Florissant Hosts Veteran’s Day
Parade in the city Sunday Nov. 9
The 2025 Veterans Day parade will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9, beginning at 1 pm.
The parade will begin at Bangert Park, preceding North on Florissant Road, and then turn left on St. Francois, ending at the VFW Post 4105 where we will have a festival atmosphere with food, music, and awards.
The Veterans Coalition of Greater St. Louis will be honoring several St Louis area veterans with awards, and the community will be honoring our 2025 Florissant Veteran of the Year, Tony Laprocina. This year’s Emcee for the ceremonies will be Marc Cox from 97.1 Talk Radio. The keynote speaker will be Air Force Lt. Col. (retired) Chris Higgins of Fox 2.
Tony Laprocina is originally from Warren, Ohio, and came to St Louis to join the Army in 1986. He attended training at Fort Benning GA as an indirect fire Infantryman (mortars). His first overseas assignment was with the 1st Infantry division in Germany, followed by a tour with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. He served also served with the 5th infantry Division at Fort Polk and returned to Ft Benning in the 24th Infantry Div. During his ten years in the Army, he achieved the rank of Sergeant and numerous awards including the Expert Infantryman Badge.
Following service Tony finished college with a degree in Machine Tool Technology and currently works as a Service Engineer for Hartwig, INC.
In civilian life Tony has continued to serve and volunteer in the community. He is a life member of Florissant VFW 4105 and served 2 terms as post Commander as well as 4 terms as the VFW 12th District Commander. He is also a member of the VFW Honor Society called the Cooties.
Laprocina is a member of Florissant American Legion Post 444 as well as the Korean War Veterans Association. He is also a member of the Florissant Friends of Veterans, Elks and Eagles Lodges and has served two terms on the Board of Directors for Old Town Florissant.
Tony is a proud father of two daughters. One who resides in Ohio and the other who is currently in Medical School at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. He has made Florissant his home for the past 19 years in the Old Town District.
We are proud to have hosted this parade in Florissant for the past 22 years and grateful to the Veterans Coalition of Greater St Louis for organizing the Parade.
Mayor Tim Lowery, the City Council and the Veterans Coalition invite everyone to bring their children/grandchildren to this event and salute the men and women who have and continue to serve this great country in the Armed Forces.
