Over the next month or so there will be two major parades in the city of Picayune.

The first is the Veterans Day parade coming up on Monday.

Even though Veterans Day is officially Saturday, the city will be holding a parade on Monday.

The second upcoming parade is the Civic Women’s Club Christmas parade.

That event will be held in early December.

There is one major difference between these two parades, attendance.

For one reason or another, the number of people who turn out for the Veterans Day Parade is much less than the number of attendees seen at the Christmas parade.

You can see the difference each and every year.

During the Veterans Day parade, only sparse pockets of people line Goodyear Boulevard in Picayune and the rest of the route.

But during the Christmas Parade you’ll find it hard to get a spot due to the presence of just about every Pearl River County resident.

It’s hard to understand why there is such a disparity in the attendance rate between these two parades.

While Christmas is probably a more popular holiday for several reasons, which more than likely include the inclusion of gifts, large meals and valuable time with friends and family, we should also take time out to show our veterans that they are just as valued.

And Monday’s parade will feature not only local veterans, but a number of antique military vehicles used in a previous major wars and conflicts.

So, rally everyone you know and convince them to show our local veterans that Pearl River County supports them by packing the sides of Goodyear Boulevard Monday before the parade starts at 6 p.m.