VETERAN’S DAY EVENTS IN SMALL TOWNS AND DOWNTOWNS ACROSS ALABAMA

FOR RELEASE: November 2, 2009

VETERAN’S DAY EVENTS IN SMALL TOWNS AND DOWNTOWNS ACROSS ALABAMA 

Montgomery, Ala. — Small Towns and Downtowns across Alabama celebrate Veteran’s Day with

free events, parades and tributes.

Families can watch the National Veterans Day parade in downtown Birmingham — the largest and oldest celebration of its kind. Parade watchers in Anniston can see and touch military vehicles and equipment on display at the city’s Annual Veterans Day Parade. Visitors can climb aboard a WWII Battleship, the USS Alabama in Mobile and enjoy a free Pops concert at Battleship Memorial Park.

The tourism department compiled the following list of free parades, ceremonies and tributes that honor all military veterans.

Athens Veterans Day Parade and Celebration — November 7, 11

Athens – downtown and VFW Lodge

The parade begins at Athens High School and will wind through the downtown streets on November 7 at 11 a.m. Contact: 256.374.2072, 256.374.2073. The VFW Lodge on Elm Street in Athens will hold a Veterans Day Celebration on November 11 at 11 a.m. followed by a meal. Contact: 256.233.1067.

Fairhope Veterans Day Parade – November 7

Fairhope Civic Center

The parade begins and ends at Fairhope Civic Center and winds through downtown, featuring the Fairhope High School Band, the Veteran of the Year, and various veterans organizations. 10 a.m. Contact: Joe Birendelli for more information at 251.928.3292

Alexander City Veterans Day Service — November 8

Veteran’s Memorial Park

Join the Mayor and city leaders to pay respect to Alabama veterans of the Confederacy, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. 2 p.m. Contact: 256.329.6736

Eclectic Veterans Day program - November 8

War Memorial Park, Kowaliga Road

Following remarks by Rep. Barry Mask and Eclectic Mayor Gary Wright, local Boy Scouts will present a program about the flag, followed by a flag burning ceremony. Anyone who has a flag to be retired can call Jeanne Osborne at 541-2824 for more info. If rain, the program will be held at the Eclectic Senior Citizens Center. 2 p.m.

Shelby County Veterans Day Ceremony & Tribute — November 8

Columbiana

This tribute and celebration honors the nation’s veterans at the Shelby County Courthouse lawn. 1-2 p.m. Contact: 256.699.9075, www.southshelbychamber.com.

Annual Veterans Day Parade — November 11

Anniston - downtown

The tri-county parade honors those serving and those who served in all armed forces. Visitors can see a variety of military vehicles and equipment for the U.S. Department of Defense. 2 p.m.

Contact: 256.236.0996, www.spiritofanniston.org.

Ardmore Veterans Day Program and Chicken Stew — November 11

Annex Building on Main Street

The Ardmore Veterans Organization will honor veterans with a ceremony on Main Street followed by free chicken stew. 11 a.m. Contact: 256.423.3222, 256.423.7588.

National Veteran’s Day Parade — November 11

Birmingham—downtown

Enjoy the largest and oldest celebration of its kind in the U.S.  More than 5,000 participants, 15 bands and 50 floats will join in the Veteran’s Day celebration. 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Contact: 205.325.1432.

Daphne Veteran’s Day Parade — November 11

Daphne City Hall

A parade begins at 10 a.m. followed by a ceremony to honor military veterans. Contact: 251.621.3703, www.daphneal.com/recreation.

Huntsville Veterans Day Parade — November 11

Downtown beginning on Clinton Avenue

Huntsville celebrates Veterans Day with a parade themed “Courage, Sacrifice, and Duty – Heroes Among Us.” The parade can be viewed in person or live on TV station WAFF 48 at 11 a.m. A flag at the corner of Williams and Lowe Avenues will be raised to full mast followed by taps and a three-volley rifle salute. Contact: 256.533.4848.

Mobile Bay Area Veterans Day Celebration — November 11

Mobile - various sites

A downtown parade kicks off events followed by a Veterans Appreciation luncheon at Fort Whiting Auditorium at noon (admission charged for luncheon). A Freedom Celebrations with a parade of flags by local school children begins at 3 p.m. at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. A free Pops Band concert ends the festivities. Contact: 251.433.2703.

Tuscumbia Veterans Day Parade —November 11

Main Street

Families can enjoy a parade down Main Street in Tuscumbia to honor all active and veteran military members. Contact: 800.344.0783, www.colbertcountytourism.org.

Union Springs Veterans Day Ceremony — November 11

Courthouse Square

Music, a special guest speaker and a roll call of veterans highlight this event honoring veterans in downtown Union Springs. Contact: 334.738.8687.

Wetumpka Veterans Day observance - November 11

Pine View Memorial Gardens

The observance is hosted by members of Smith-Leonard VFW?Post 4572, its Ladies Auxiliary and Chapter 263 of the Korean War Veterans Association. Guest speaker will be Col. Rick McDow (USAF-Ret.), a Vietnam era pilot and POW. 11 a.m.

Millbrook Veterans Day tribute - November 11

Millbrook Civic Center

The tribute is hosted by the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce to honor all who have served in the U.S. military. 4 p.m.

Musical tribute to veterans - November 12

Trinity Episcopal Church, Wetumpka.

The public is welcome to the tribute that features Montgomery organist Kelley?Garrett, Auburn University Chorus and area musicians and performers. All active military and veterans will be honored at a reception to follow. 7 p.m.

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