Veterans Day Parade slated
Annual event kicks off Saturday in Ontario
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Friday, November 7, 2008 11:04 AM PST
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| Argus Observer file photo
Ontario resident and U.S. Army paratrooper Josh Brennan, who was killed in action in Afghanistan last year, was honored during the 2007 Veterans Day parade in Ontario. This year the annual Veterans Day parade will kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday in Ontario. |
ONTARIO —Residents from around the valley have the opportunity to honor U.S. military veterans Saturday by turning out for the seventh annual Veteran’s Day Parade in Ontario.
The parade is sponsored by the American Legion Ontario Post No. 67, but all veterans are welcome to participate.
The parade will form along Alameda Drive and the West Park Plaza, and the march will begin at 1 p.m., proceeding on Southwest Fourth Avenue to South Oregon Street, where it will turn north to Southwest First Avenue. At that point the parade will turn east and go back around to Depot Lane and end near the Ontario Train Depot.
“(Oregon) Sen. Ted Ferrioli will be here,” Steve Farrow, commander of American Legion Post No. 67, said.
Ferrioli will lead a host of local dignitaries which, will include Malheur County Judge Dan Joyce, Ontario Mayor Joe Dominick and Nyssa Mayor Susan Walker.
Also represented will be state and local law enforcement agencies from Oregon and Idaho, Farrow said.
“It’s the same theme as before: Thank the veterans support the troops,” he said.
At least 65 entries have been signed up for the event. The Idaho/Oregon Patriot Guard motorcycle riders will be there, and veterans marching or riding in the parade will be led by two bagpipers in full dress, Farrow said.
Veteran’s Day services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the American Legion Memorial situated in Evergreen Cemetery, across from the Treasure Valley Community College gymnasium. The public is welcome to attend. The parade started out small with a group of veterans who formed up and marched with a police escort, and the event has grown every year. The last few years the parade has been routed through the downtown.
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