The U.S. flag flies high Tuesday as the community gathers to celebrate Veterans Day.
“The parade will start precisely at 11 a.m.,” said Terry Saxon, parade organizer and public relations officer for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031, “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.”
That is when the armistice ending World War I went into effect in 1918. Once called Armistice Day, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in honor of veterans of all wars in 1954, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Saxon is expecting the San Juan Chapter of the Historic Trucking Association, the Durango Car Club, including a Ford Thunderbird from South Fork, and two bands from Durango High School and Miller Middle School. The VFW will have two floats of its own to transport members.
“We’re rapidly losing our World War II veterans,” Saxon said, “although we still have several who stop by occasionally. We’re hoping they’ll come join us on a float.”
Coming Tuesday: Veterans day events
Durango will offer several activities Tuesday to honor veterans who have served our country:
6 a.m.: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031 will place flags up and down Main Avenue.
8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Free full-service oil changes for veterans at Grease Monkey, 10 River Road in Durango. Offered only on Veterans Day, veterans must show their DD214 military identification or a state driver’s license with a military insignia to receive the service.
8 a.m.: Check-in for parade begins at East Third Avenue and Fifth Street. By 9:45 a.m. Veterans who want to ride on one of the VFW’s floats need to arrive at the post at 1550 Main Avenue. Parking is available despite construction on 15th Street.
11 a.m.: Parade begins.
11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Students and community members are invited to write the name of a veteran in their life on the Fort Lewis College Path of Honor Board in the lobby of the Student Union.
12:30 p.m.: Open house at American Legion Post 28, 878 East Second Ave.
1 p.m.: Open house at the VFW.
6 p.m.: Veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan will speak about what Veterans Day means to them in the Student Union Vallecito Room. The event is free and open to the public.
City offices will be closed. Residential trash pick-up and recycling will continue on the regular schedule.
