David R. Thomas has been selected to lead this year’s parade, which will start at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11 in downtown Leavenworth.

Thomas, who turns 71 later this month, was the sixth of 12 children born to Luther H. and Zora E. (Barkley) Thomas. He attended Leavenworth schools and is a graduate of Leavenworth High School.

He entered the Kansas National Guard in 1964. His unit was activated in May 1968 serving at Fort Carson, Colo., before being deployed to Vietnam for 10 months where he served as first cook, then mess sergeant in Long Bein.

After leaving the service in 1971, Thomas became a Glazier by trade and has worked in Leavenworth for 52 years with Area Wide Glass. He is a life member of the American Legion from where he joined while living in Boulder, Colo., and served as commander and vice-commander of Boulder Post 10.

Upon returning to Leavenworth, Thomas became active in Byron H. Mehl Post 23, where he has served as finance officer for the past 22 years. He has also served as Kansas First District commander and vice commander and is continuing to become the first Department Commander of Kansas from American Legion Post 23.

He currently is holding the American Legion National Security Chairmanship; he has also served many other national appointments and attends conferences and national conventions. Thomas also is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans and has served on the Selective Service Board, as well.

Thomas assists with the Volunteer Program at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Medical Center, Leavenworth. He has continued the bicycle program started by Mike Neve at the Lansing Correctional Facility where he collects used bicycles and bicycle parts and the Lansing inmates refurbish them as part of their rehabilitation program.

When these bicycles are finished, you would never know that they were refurbished; they look like brand new bicycles that just came from a store. He then distributes them to children and other veteran organizations throughout the state at Christmastime, or when there is a need locally, and also sends bicycles to the Wounded Warrior Program at Fort Riley. In the last two years, more than 500 bicycles have been distributed to veterans and children.

As a member of the Leavenworth Memorial Day Committee, he supports annually Leavenworth area Boy and Girl Scouts and volunteers by donating hot dogs for them to enjoy after placing the flags on the graves at Leavenworth National Cemetery. This program has grown from approximately 400 scouts to more than 1,600.

Thomas is an avid Chiefs and Royals fan, and a collector of coins. He enjoys country music and visiting with family and friends.

Thomas and his wife, Cherie, have four children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with another due in October. Of the 13 grandchildren, five are in the Armed Forces. There are four in the Army and one in the Navy.

Anyone wanting to participate in this year’s parade can go to lvvetsparade.com and submit an application. For more information, contact Diane Smith, secretary for the Leavenworth County Veterans Day Parade Committee, at dsmith8325@kc.rr.com.