On Veterans Day, we gather to honor, remember and thank the men and women in uniform who have defended the United States and our freedoms.
Below are a few of the Veterans Day parades, tributes and ceremonies happening around town.
Gilbert Veterans Day Ceremony (Nov. 9)
The Town of Gilbert will honor veterans with a ceremony on Thursday morning, Nov. 9 at the Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive. The event is free and open to the public.
There is be a presentation of colors ceremony, performances from local schools, and guest speakers. The music starts at 11 a.m., and the ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. After the ceremony, food and drink will be provided. More information.
Scottsdale Veterans Day Commemoration (Nov. 10)
Veteran and author Marc Raciti will share his story at Scottsdale's Veterans Day Commemoration on Nov. 10. The event is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road.
Scottsdale historian Len Marcisz is scheduled to speak and the 108th Army Band Brass Quintet is scheduled to perform. Call 480-312-2312 for more information.
Tempe Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 10)
Tempe will host its 70th Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 10, the day before Veterans Day. The parade will start at 10 a.m. at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue. It will travel north on Mill Avenue to Tempe Beach Park near Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.
Free parking will be available at 5th Street and Farmer, as well as the parking structure next to City Hall. More information.
Phoenix Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 11)
More than 45,000 people are expected in Central Phoenix to watch the 21st annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11. This year's theme is "Silent Sacrifice Honoring Cold War Vets." The parade will have eight veteran grand marshals representing each era of military service from World War II to present day. Actress Loretta Swit, best known for her role as Major Margaret Houlihan in the TV show, MASH, will be the celebrity grand marshal.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. near Central and Montebello and will go until 1 p.m. More information.
Parade route: Starts at Central and Montebello, travels south on Central to Camelback, east on Camelback to 7th Street, south on 7th Street to Indian School Road.
East Valley Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 11)
More than 50,000 people are expected to line the streets of downtown Mesa to watch the East Valley Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 This year's theme is "Honor and Remember." It is produced by the East Valley Veterans Parade Association, an all-volunteer non-profit organization. The parade will have six grand marshals and bands and floats from East Valley high schools.
A presentation will take place at 10:30 a.m. followed by a flyover and start of the parade at 11 a.m. The parade will last 90 minutes. More information.
Parade route: Starts at University Drive and Center Street, travels south on Center to First Street, west on First Street and ends at Robson Street.
Surprise Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 11)
The third annual Surprise Veterans Day Parade will take place Nov. 11 at the Surprise Recreation Campus, 15960 N. Bullard Ave. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m., according to the website.
Goodyear Veterans Day barbecue and tribute (Nov. 11)
The City of Goodyear will host a free barbecue for military veterans and their families on Nov. 11. The barbecue will start at 2 p.m. at Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way. A tribute will start at 3 p.m. The event will end at 4 p.m.
There will be an interactive flag garden, a flyover, a mobile museum and youth performances. More information.
Anthem Veterans Day Memorial (Nov. 11)
Anthem will host a Veterans Day tribute on Saturday, Nov. 11 at its Anthem Veterans Memorial. The memorial will start at 10 a.m. and will end at 11:11 a.m. More information.
Anthem's memorial is unique. The memorial is made up of five pillars with an ellipse in the middle. At a particular point in the day, the sun shines through each of the pillars and illuminates The Great Seal of the United States installed on the ground.
Sgt. Major Jennifer L. Simmons will give the keynote address. A local high school student will read an essay. The public is directed to park at the community center or in the middle lots and take the bridge over to the memorial. Parking closest to the memorial is reserved for veterans. Bringing blankets and chairs is OK.
Glendale Veterans Day Ceremony (Nov. 11)
The City of Glendale and the Glendale Chamber of Commerce's Military & Veteran Affairs committee will host a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at the Glendale Public Library's auditorium, 5959 W. Brown Street. More information.
The ceremony is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Chief master sergeant Randy Kwiatkowski of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base will deliver the keynote address. There will also be a flyover.
Veterans Day Gourd Dance (Nov. 11)
The Arizona Territory Gourd Society and Pueblo Grand Museum will host its 18th Veterans Day Gourd Dance on Nov. 11. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the museum, 4619 E. Washington Street. More information.
