Tempe Veterans Parade and Memorial
Where/when: Begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday at ASU Gammage. Followed by ceremony and picnic at Tempe Beach Park. Festivities end at 2 p.m. Other: Free and open to the public.
Veterans Day Gourd Dance and Community Potluck: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 11. Bring a dish to share with other attendees. Celebrate the veterans who have served the nation. Enjoy gourd dancing. Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. Free. 602-495-0901. www.pueblogrande.com.
Avondale's Veterans Day Ceremony: 10 a.m. Nov. 11. Avondale's Veterans Day Ceremony pays tribute to community members who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Agua Fria High School District Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Color Guard posts the colors. A flyover from Luke Air Force Base is also included along with information booths from various military branches and local veteran support groups. A free barbecue lunch is served at 11 a.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Avondale Civic Center, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Free. 623-333-2400. www.ci.avondale.az.us.
VA Veterans Day Parade 2009: 11 a.m. Nov. 11. Honor veterans on their special day at the VA Veterans Day parade. A 45-foot tall Uncle Sam balloon is featured and several bands march and perform. The parade begins at Seventh Street and Montecito and heads west on Camelback and north on Central. Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix. Free. www.downtownphx.org/.
Veterans Day: 3-5 p.m. Nov. 11. Honor our veterans at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park at a memorial that includes dignitaries, guest speakers and live performances. The 108th Army Band plays until 3:30 p.m., when the formal program begins. While you're there, ride the train or antique carousel and see model-railroad exhibits. Concessions like hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream are available for purchase. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. Free admission; $12 for 10 ride tickets or $1 each; food, drink purchases vary. 480-312-2312. www.therailroadpark.com.
Veterans Day Ceremony: 9 a.m. Nov. 11. The Veterans Day Ceremony at Sunland Memorial Park begins at 9 a.m. with music from the Desert Brass Band. Rick Romley speaks, the honor guard from American Legion Post #94 is featured, taps are played and a three-volley rifle salutes departed veterans. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring chairs. Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary and Cremation Center, 15826 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City. Free. 623-933-0161.
Veterans Day Service: 10 a.m. Nov. 11. The service honors all veterans with a program of music, military honors, an inspirational message and white doves. More than 60 American flags will be displayed and the Red Cross will be on-site from 1-6 p.m. Registration to donate blood is requested. Registration on the web site required code word: dignity. Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, 400 S. Power Road, Mesa. Free. 480-830-4422. www.mariposagardens.com.
Veterans Day Ceremony: 11 a.m. Nov. 11. Join local veterans groups and the Scottsdale Public Art Program to dedicate a heroic-scale statue honoring Scottsdale veterans. The Chaplain, by Scottsdale artist Austin Deuel, is installed on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall northeast of Scottsdale City Hall. The sculpture depicts a World War I chaplain. Many of the 4,000 veterans who reside in Scottsdale and who are members of the local Disabled American Veterans chapter and Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts will be in attendance, along with family and friends. Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. Free. 480-874-4607. www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/scottsdalemall.asp.
