Arizonans are gearing up to honor the nation’s veterans with a variety of events this Veterans Day.
Maricopa County
VA Veterans Day Parade
Featuring nearly 100 parade entries, the VA Veterans Day Parade is a showcase of military and civilian marching units, color guards, military vehicles, equestrian units, floats, balloons, and bands. The Celebrity Grand Marshal is entertainer Wayne Newton who serves as Chairman of the USO’s Celebrity Circle. Veteran Grand Marshals are those who have fought in various conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Veterans’ organizations, floats, bands, military vehicles, color guards, a military flyover and the 108th Army National Guard Band are also part of this event. The parade travels north from the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, beginning at Seventh Street and Montecito (north of Indian School Road) in Phoenix. The parade will turn west on Camelback Road, and proceed to Central Avenue, then turn north to Montebello, where it will end at North Phoenix Baptist Church
Monday, November 12
11 a.m.
Free
Veterans Day at Arizona Science Center
Saturday, Nov. 10 & Sunday, Nov. 11 all members of the military receive $5 off general admission to the Center. On Monday, Nov. 12 all members of the military are admitted free
Saturday, Nov. 10; Sunday, Nov. 11; Monday, Nov. 12
Arizona Science Center, Downtown Phoenix
Regular center hours
Discounted or free admission as stated above
Apache Junction Veterans Day Parade
Part of the Festival of the Superstitions.
Sunday, November 11
Apache Junction Chamber
9:30 a.m.
Free
Patriotic Concert in Mesa
The Salt River Brass annual tribute to America including patriotic selections.
Sunday, November 11 at 3 p.m.
Mesa Arts Center
3 p.m.
$17 – $22 general admission
East Valley Veterans Parade
The parade begins in Downtown Mesa near Center Street and 3rd Place and travels south on Center to 1st Avenue. It is viewed by thousands of East Valley residents. Marching bands, military vehicles, veterans groups and floats. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Veterans and Military, One Parade at a Time.” Lasts about 1-1/2 hours.
Monday, November 12
Downtown Mesa
11 a.m.
Free
Veterans Day Parade in Tempe
Tempe will celebrate veterans with the annual Veterans Day Parade. The parade runs north on Mill Avenue from ASU Gammage to Tempe Beach Park. Veterans, high school bands, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and community members will participate in the parade.
Monday, November 12
Mill Avenue/Tempe Beach Park
10 a.m.
Free
Veterans Day at Outlets at Anthem
From noon to 3 p.m., the public can meet members of the Daisy Mountain Veterans (Anthem area), and join in creating holiday cards and postcards to the troops currently serving overseas. Military and senior discounts will be offered by participating stores during mall hours, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Stop by the customer service desk for a store list. The American Legion Auxiliary will be on-site to hand out red poppies in honor of America’s fallen heroes. Throughout the day, Outlets at Anthem’s LED sign on Interstate 17 will feature special tributes including thank you messages and photos of 75 veterans. Now through Nov. 12 Outlets at Anthem will hold a clothing drive to help homeless female vets and their children. Customers can purchase new shoes, undergarments, socks, shorts and shirts to contribute to the clothing drive. Donations can be dropped off at customer service, and will be donated directly to Veterans First, Ltd. The Outlets at Anthem will also commemorate our veterans by participating in the Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade held Saturday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m. Outlets at Anthem is located off 1-17, 15 minutes north of Loop 101, at the Anthem Way exit 229.
Monday, November 12
Outlets at Anthem off 1-17 at the Anthem Way Exit 229
Free admission
American Indian Veterans National Memorial
The Heard Museum will formally dedicate the first and only known national monument dedicated to American Indian veterans who served their country. The Memorial is on the northwestern wall of the Berlin Gallery, facing the amphitheater. The Memorial consists of many elements, including sizable sculptures by several Native artists, including Chiricahua Apache sculptor Allan Houser (1914-1994). A larger-than-life-size version of Houser’s “Unconquered” (left) is to be among these sculptures.
Wednesday, November 14
Heard Museum, Phoenix
5 p.m.
Free admission
Pima County
Veterans Day Concert by the Tucson Men’s Barbershop Chorus<.b>
November 11
3 p.m.
Pantano Baptist Church, 225 S. Pantano Road.
Free; donations accepted. 290-8844.
390th Memorial Museum Open House
Open House for veterans and their family members;
9-11 a.m.
Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road.
Free. RSVPs are required; call 574-0287.
Arizona Symphonic Winds Veterans Day Salute concert
1 p.m.
Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive.
Free; donations are accepted. 721-2068.
Military Appreciation Day
10 a.m.-noon
Prince Chapel AME Church, 602 S. Stone Ave.
Free. 624-2871.
Veterans Day Open House
Veterans Day open House, featuring food, games and entertainment by Johnnie and the Rumblers
2-7 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4903, 1150 N. Beverly Ave.
Free. 881-0184.
Tucson Veterans Day Parade downtown
Tucson Veterans Day Parade will stage on West Alameda Street between Granada Avenue and Manning House Way beginning at 8 a.m
10 a.m. It will proceed east on Alameda, turn north on Church Avenue then west on Sixth Street, then south on Granada before ending at Franklin Street.