On Veterans Day, we gather to honor and thank the men and women in uniform who've worked hard every day to protect our freedom.
This year, communities across the Valley will thank our military veterans will parades and ceremonies. All of the events are open to the public.
Below are a few of the events happening around town:
DAISY MOUNTAIN VETERANS PARADE (NOV. 5)
On Nov. 5, the Daisy Mountain Veterans Day Parade will take place in Anthem. This year's parade will honor those veterans who fought in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. View parade route. It is free and open to the public. View more information.
Within Anthem's Community Park is the Anthem Veterans Memorial. On Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. there will be a special ceremony at the memorial (details are below).
IF YOU GO:
Parade route: Gavilan Peak Parkway to Anthem Community Center.
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
HEARD MUSEUM SUNSET TRIBUTE (NOV. 7)
The Heard Museum will host a sunset tribute at the American Indian Veterans National Memorial on Nov. 7. After the ceremony, there will be a reception inside the museum. The event is free and open to the public, but you have to register (link below).
IF YOU GO:
Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85004
Time: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Free, but you have toregister
GILBERT VETERANS DAY CEREMONY (NOV. 10)
The City of Gilbert is honoring its veterans on Nov. 10 with a special ceremony. There will be a presentation of the colors, music performances from local schools and lunch. This event is free and open to the public.View more information here.
IF YOU GO:
Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive
Time: 11 a.m.
PHOENIX VETERANS DAY PARADE (NOV. 11)
The Phoenix Veterans Day Parade is celebrating its 20th year in 2016. This year's theme is "Welcome Home Vietnam Heroes." There will be over 2,500 people in this year's parade including floats and marching bands. There will be eight Grand Marshals. The event is free and open to the public. View more information here.
IF YOU GO:
Parade route: Central and Montebello Drive, south on Central Avenue to Camelback Road, east on Camelback Road to 7th Street, south on 7th Steet to Indian School Road.
Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
EAST VALLEY VETERANS PARADE (NOV. 11)
Head to downtown Mesa for the East Valley Veterans Day parade. This year's theme is "Generations of Valor." Last year more than 50,000 people attended the free event. View more information here.
IF YOU GO:
Downtown Mesa, University Drive and Center Street
Time: Presentation starts at 10:15 a.m. Flyover and parade begin at 11 a.m.
MESA VETERANS BENEFIT CONCERT
Following the East Valley Veterans Day Parade, there will be a benefit concert to help house Mesa's homeless veterans at the Mesa Arts Center Alliance Pavilion Stage. The show will be from noon to 3 p.m. The show is free, however, donations will be collected to support its programs.
IF YOU GO:
Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa AZ 85201
Time: noon to 3 p.m.
GOODYEAR VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE (NOV. 11)
At this year's Veterans Day tribute, a piece of artwork designed and created by 20 veterans will be unveiled at Goodyear Ballpark. The piece is titled "Brotherhood." Mayor Georgia Lord will give opening remarks and retired Lt. Col. David Fitzgerald and Dr. Donna Fitzgerald will deliver the keynote address. View more information here.
IF YOU GO:
Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear AZ 85338
Time: 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
SURPRISE VETERANS DAY PARADE (NOV. 11)
Surprise will celebrate Veterans Day with a parade and pancake breakfast. The breakfast goes from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Tickets to the breakfast are $4. The parade is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and is free and open to the public. View more information here.
IF YOU GO:
Surprise Recreation Campus, 15960 N. Bullard Avenue
Time: 9:30 a.m.
ANTHEM VETERANS MEMORIAL (NOV. 11)
On Veterans Day, Anthem leaders will visit the Veterans Memorial for a special ceremony. Veterans will make a few remarks. There will be music and a flyover. At 11:11 a.m., the sun's rays will pass through the memorial's pillars and cast a spotlight over a mosaic of The Great Seal of the United States. View more information here.
IF YOU GO:
Anthem Veterans Memorial, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem
Time: 10 a.m.
SCOTTSDALE VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATION (NOV. 11)
Bob Parsons founded Go Daddy. He is the scheduled keynote speaker for Scottsdale's commemoration. View more information here.
IF YOU GO:
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale AZ
Time: 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
17TH ANNUAL VETERANS DAY GOURD DANCE AND COMMUNITY POTLUCK (NOV. 11)
Phoenix's Pueblo Grande Museum will host a gourd dance and potluck for Veterans Day. The event is open to the public. Please bring a dish to pass. View event details here.
IF YOU GO:
Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix AZ 85034
Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
