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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:00 PM

Veterans Day events aim to honor service

By JENALEA MYERS, Herald Night News Editor

Just travel to Ottawa’s downtown and you’ll see it.

The memorial wall that honors the local soldiers who were killed in action. The wall serves as a reminder for loved ones left behind.

That’s what this weekend’s Veterans Day celebration is all about, Sherry Wright, an organizer, says.

“We remember and will do all we can to preserve that memory of those names on the wall and to honor all our veterans,” she said.

But the war memorial wall, Fourth and Main streets, is just one way the public can honor veterans during the weekend’s celebration, Wright said.

A parade, war re-enactments, musical performances, craft and food vendors and other activities will highlight the weekend. An opening ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at Forest Park, 320 N. Locust St., Ottawa.

“The ceremony draws a large crowd and distinguished speakers with a music program,” Wright said.

Each night will bring entertainment and an opportunity to tour the Healing Field of Flags — more than 700 U.S. flags on display at the men’s softball diamond at Forest Park. The flags will be on display from Friday through Tuesday for public viewing.

“The main highlight is always the veterans parade of soldiers,” Wright said.

The parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Fifth and Main streets and proceed along Main Street to Forest Park. Wright encourages all paradegoers to bring a “Thank a Vet” sign with what they’re thankful for written on it.

Daniel Gilyeat, Overland Park, will serve as the grand marshal of the parade. He is a veteran Marine who lost his leg while serving in Iraq. Last year he was featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover Home Edition.”

The closing ceremony, which will be conducted by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 912, is something new this year, Wright said. She said the weekend’s events could draw 3,000 people to Ottawa.

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Veterans Day events aim to honor service

By JENALEA MYERS, Herald Night News Editor

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.