In late 1999, Mary Ellen Landry contacted Donna Leach Yates and Dick Wilson with the proposed plan to conduct an Annual Mississippi's Veterans Parade to be held on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They met with the Executive Director of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce and the beginnings of the Mississippi First Annual Veterans Parade were born.

Afterward, a committee was formed with Mary Ellen Landry and Donna Leach Yates elected to serve as Co-Chair-Women. Major General James E. Livingston, USMC, Ret, (Congressional Medal of Honor recipient) served as our very first Parade Marshal. Mississippi's 1st Annual Veterans Parade was held in Gulfport on November 11, 2000. The parade was dedicated to pay tribute to the Silver Anniversary of the ending of the Vietnam War.

With patriotic feelings at an all time high - following the 9-11 tragedy - plans quickly materialized for Mississippi's 2nd Annual Veterans Parade which was held on November 10, 2001 in Gulfport. That year the parade was dedicated to pay tribute to our nation's recipients of the Purple Heart Medal. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded for wounds received in combat. Lieutenant General Bryan Shotts honored the committee by serving as the Parade Marshal. Kirby Bernich served as the 1st President of the Mississippi Annual Parade.

In 2002, the parade committee and its supporters continued to grow. The 3rd Annual Mississippi Veterans Parade was held (for the first time) in the city of Biloxi. The parade was dedicated to pay tribute to our nation's recipients of the Silver Star Medal. Lieutenant General Clark Griffith, USAF, Ret, served as its Parade Marshal. Major General James Garner, USA, Ret served as the 2nd President of the Mississippi Annual Veterans Parade.

The 4th Annual Mississippi Veterans Parade was held on Saturday, November 8, 2003 in Biloxi. That year the tribute was to our nation's recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross and dedicated to the men and women of our nations Armed Forces, who were deployed and who were fighting for the security of our nation and the liberation of depressed peoples on foreign soil. Mr. Jeremiah (Jerry) O'Keefe, Sr., USMC, WWII Ace Fighter Pilot, recipient of the Navy Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross served as Parade Marshal. General James Garner, USA, Ret continued to serve as the President of the Annual Mississippi Veterans Parade.

The 5th Annual Mississippi Veterans Parade was held on Saturday, November 13, 2004 in Gulfport. Colonel Lawrence (Larry) Roberts, USAF, Ret ,former Tuskegee Airman was to serve as its Parade Marshal but unfortunately passed away just before the parade. This parade was dedicated to honor all veterans of all service, past and present, and all members of our Armed Forces that were and had been deployed fighting for the security of our nation and the liberation of depressed peoples of the free world.

In 2005 plans were being made for the 6th Annual Mississippi Veterans Parade when Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 29th. The parade was canceled for that year. This year also saw the parade change its name to the Gulf Coast Veterans Parade.

In 2006 the parade committee was determined to renew its annual parade and on Saturday, November 11, 2006, the 6th Annual Gulf Coast Veterans Parade was held on the streets of Biloxi. Major General Harold A. Cross, Adjutant General of Mississippi, served as its Parade Marshal. The parade was dedicated parade to all our Veterans (Active, Retired, Guard and Reserve), those who are fighting for liberties on foreign soil, those who have returned home and to those who helped with recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

The 2007 Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans Parade was held on Saturday, November 10, 2007 in Gulfport. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lewis J. Shank (Ret), served as Parade Marshal. The parade was dedicated to all veterans from WWII.

The 2008Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans Parade was held in Biloxi on Saturday November 8th, 2008. This year's parade was dedicated to all veterans from the Viet Nam era. The Grand Marshal was CSM Ed Horstman, USA (Ret) a decorated Korean War and Viet Nam War veteran.

The 9th Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans Parade is scheduled to be held in Gulfport on Saturday November 7th, 2009. Our Grand Marshal is CSM Adelchi Pilutti, USA (Ret) a highly decorated veteran from WW II. This year's parade is dedicated to all veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.