U.S. Army Veteran and UFC Legend Named Celebrity Grand Marshal for the HAV Veterans Day Parade in Phoenix
PHOENIX, AZ — He’s fought in the ring, commanded the screen, and now he’s leading the charge in a new arena, honoring America’s heroes. Honoring America’s Veterans (HAV) is proud to announce that Randy Couture, U.S. Army veteran, six-time UFC world champion, and actor in The Expendables series, has been named Celebrity Grand Marshal for the 2025 Honoring America’s Veterans (HAV), Veterans Day Parade in Phoenix.
Before he became a heavyweight champion, movie star, and entrepreneur, Randy Couture was a young man in Army green, training, wrestling, and discovering what he was truly made of. From 1982 to 1988, Couture served in the 101st Airborne Division, rising to the rank of sergeant. His years in uniform didn’t just shape his body; they shaped his mind, his leadership, and his future.
As a member of the Army wrestling team, Couture’s talent flourished. It was there he learned to dig deeper, to believe in himself, and to push past limits. That grit carried him through college at Oklahoma State, and later, into the world of Mixed Martial Arts, where he would go on to become a six-time UFC world champion.
Yet even in the spotlight, Couture never lost sight of his military roots.
“I wore the uniform. I understand the commitment and the discipline,” he once said. “I didn’t have to go into combat, but I’ve met so many who did, and who gave so much. I’m honored to stand with them.”
In 2009, he founded the Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping injured veterans of the armed forces. And through Merging Vets & Players, and most recently, he added the role of Brand Champion for the veteran-owned Four Branches Bourbon company.
Randy Couture’s journey is proof that service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off. From soldier to champion to tireless veteran advocate, he reminds us that America’s strength lies not just in power, but in purpose.
Couture will join a distinguished lineup of Veterans Grand Marshals representing each major conflict era, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War. These heroes serve as living bridges between generations, helping us remember and reflect.
“Randy’s story resonates with so many,” said U.S. Navy Veterans and HAV Executive Director Paula Pedene. “He’s lived the values of service, perseverance, and honor, and we’re thrilled to have him help us lead this important celebration.”
The HAV Veterans Day Parade in Phoenix, one of the largest in the Southwest, draws more than 45,000 spectators each year. With this year’s theme, “America, Our Guiding Light,” the 2025 parade will commemorate 250 years of service by the U.S. Army and Navy and shine a spotlight on the values that unite us as a nation.
The parade will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. in Central Phoenix. To learn more or get involved, visit https://honoringamericasveterans.org