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Auburn honors Veterans with 53rd Auburn’s Veterans Day Parade

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Flags, families and tens of thousands of spectators will line Main Street in Auburn for the 53rd annual Veterans Parade to be held on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. It will proceed west on Main Street from E Street to A Street NW near Auburn City Hall over a period of approximately two and a half hours. The City of Auburn is proud to be celebrating its 53rd anniversary of this signature event, which started in 1965. Over the years, Auburn’s Veterans Parade has become one of the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi. The National Veterans Day Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have once again selected the City of Auburn as one of the few Regional Sites for Veterans Day Observance in 2018.

Reflections, Vietname Memorial, Lee Teter
Lee Teter’s “Reflections”

The 2018 event will pay special tribute to the Vietnam Veterans of America, who will be showcased at the front of the parade, following their chosen Grand Marshal, Francisco F. Ivarra. The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the only National Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.

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The City of Auburn is proud to be a Vietnam War Commemorative Partner and will also be paying special tribute to the service, valor and sacrifice of those who served in the Vietnam War.

The parade boasts over 200 entries and nearly 6,000 parade participants showcasing American strength of will, endurance and purpose. The parade will feature over 25 marching bands, including Navy Band Northwest. Spectators will be treated to several local Junior ROTC units, honor guards, military units and antique military vehicles. Spectators will also enjoy the procession of veteran units, drill teams, community and scouting groups, intermixed with floats, antique and classic cars and other entries of interest.

Spectators are advised to arrive early, bring a folding chair, a flag, their best salute and plenty of tissue. Parade emcee, Lee Stoll of KOMO 4 will be located at the corner of Main and Division and there will also be another emcee at the corner of Main and B Street NE.

There are numerous other events in Auburn to celebrate and honor Veterans:

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11:00 a.m. – 53rd Auburn’s Veterans Parade

53rd annual veterans day parade, veteran's day parade, veterans day, veterans
Courtesy Photo, City of Auburn

Main Street | Downtown Auburn
Flags, families and thousands of veterans will line Main Street in Auburn for the 2018 Veterans Parade. The Parade proceeds west on Main from E St. SE to A St. NW near Auburn City Hall over a period of approximately two and a half hours. The parade boasts over 200 entries and nearly 6,000 parade participants showcasing American strength of will, endurance and purpose. The parade will feature over 25 marching bands, as well as local Junior ROTC units, honor guards, military units and antique military vehicles. Spectators will also enjoy the procession of veteran units, drill teams, community and scouting groups, intermixed with floats, antique and classic cars and other entries of interest. Spectators are advised to arrive early, bring a folding chair, a flag, their best salute and plenty of tissue.

Thank you to the Muckleshoot Casino, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Wells Fargo and Boeing for their generous support of the parade. Media support courtesy of KOMO 4, KOMO News Radio AM 1000/97.7 FM and Talk Radio 570 KVI.

 

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Other activities on Saturday, November 10

7:00-9:30 a.m. – American Legion Community Breakfast
Auburn Senior Activity Center | 808 Ninth Street SE
Co-sponsored by the American Legion Post #78 and the City of Auburn, the annual American Legion Community Breakfast is held at the Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth Street SE, on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 7 – 9:30 a.m. A generous breakfast for $7 includes pancakes, eggs, ham and juice or coffee. Tickets available in advance or at the door.

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.-  Static Display & Exhibit Showcase

South Division St. & A Street SE | Downtown Auburn
Over 40 displays and information booths will fill South Division Street and A Street SE, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. These displays may include military vehicles and equipment and informational booths relating to veterans and the military. Scheduled to participate in the Exhibit Showcase is, among others, the Naval Air Museum, Wounded Warrior Project and the Federal Way Vet Center. The Washington Army National Guard plans to bring their rock wall (weather dependent) and a variety of military vehicles and equipment. Other agencies include the National Alliance to End Veteran Suicide, the VFW Department of Washington, the Civil Air Patrol and more. A handful of food/beverage vendors will be included in the static display area including Fisher Fair Scones, KC Deez BBQ Truck, Tastyz Kettle Corn and more to quench your thirst and tame your appetite.

9:45-10:15 a.m. – Remembrance Ceremony and Lighting of the Flame

Auburn's Veterans Day Parade, 53rd Auburn's Veterans Day Parade, Veterans Day, Veterans Day Parade, Auburn ExaminerVeterans Memorial Park | 411 E Street NE
This special ceremony will take place on Nov. 10 from 9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. at Auburn’s Veterans Memorial Park, 411 E Street NE, and will feature patriotic music, an honor guard and 21-gun salute. Once lit, the flame at the Veterans Memorial will be guarded for 24 hours.

1:00-10:00 p.m.  – Veterans Day High School Marching Band Competition

Auburn Memorial Stadium | 801 Fourth Street NE
The competition starts at 1 p.m. at Auburn Memorial Stadium, 801 Fourth St. NE, Auburn. Over 25 bands will compete in the field competition, which includes great music, drill and precision performances from some of the best high school marching bands in the Pacific Northwest. Admission is charged at the stadium gate (discount ticket prices available for students, children and seniors).

1:00-5:00 p.m. – Auburn VFW Post #1741 Open House

Auburn VFW | 1525 A Street NE, Ste. 107
The VFW Auburn Post #1741 would like to honor all veterans on Saturday, Nov. 10, by hosting an open house. The event will run from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Auburn VFW, located at 1525 A Street NE, Suite 107.

1:30-3:00 p.m. – Auburn Noon Lions Veterans Day Luncheon

Merrill Gardens at Auburn | 18 1st Street SE
The luncheon is co-sponsored by the Auburn Noon Lions Club and the City of Auburn. Pre-reservations are $15/person and includes a variety of pastas, salad, rolls, dessert, and beverages. The lunch program honors our Veterans, with special recognition given to our dignitaries in attendance. The Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee’s Outstanding Veterans will be honored at the lunch, along with other special presentations. For additional information or to reserve seats by phone, call 253-931-3043.

For complete details about Auburn’s Veterans Parade and Observance, visit www.auburnwa.gov/vetsday


The above is a press release from the City of Auburn. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its contents. Please confirm dates and times of all events.

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