Honoring vets: Veterans Day parades, observances and other area events

A number of Veterans Day activities are planned around the region including parades, an observance and meals for those who served.

Veterans Day is for those currently serving or who have served. Memorial Day is reserved for veterans who were killed in battle or who have died since their military days. Flags are not lowered on Veterans Day.

Rebecca Clark, the Virginia City Veterans Day parade director, said Monday a large number of entries have been received.

“The number of entries I have are head-to-head with our Fourth of July parade,” she said.

The annual Veterans Day Parade in Virginia City begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday on C Street.

Clark said the parade doesn’t have a marshal like the Memorial Day event, but the color guard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8071 in Virginia City will lead.

According to Clark, the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps from Douglas and Incline high schools will participate.

The annual Veterans Day Parade in Reno starts at 11:11 a.m. in downtown.

This year's theme is "Service." The parade follows Virginia Street between 6th and Liberty streets.

Chaplin Do Jin Kim will lead the ceremonies with a prayer, and Cassie Harris will perform the National Anthem. The opening ceremonies conclude with an official City of Reno Proclamation read by Jana Morales. The actual parade begins at about 11:30 a.m. after the opening ceremony.

In Sparks, the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza is having an observance on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Individuals or groups are encouraged to take a moment and honor our fallen who are listed on the wall or to just take a moment out of their day to show value for those who sacrifice for our daily freedoms.

Sparks Florist has donated flowers for those who come by and want to place a flower to show honor. The NVMP team will be present to give a tour of the memorial and have a handout available for a self-guided meaningful and educational experience.

“It is our responsibility to acknowledge the sacrifice and accomplishments of those who gave a part of their youth, or the entirety of their lives for these great states,” said Sparks Councilman Kristopher Dahir, who is president of the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza Project. “We must teach the next generation about the values we carry and leave a legacy of those things we cherish the most.”

The plaza allows the public to walk among the names of the 896 fallen Nevadan veterans, provide a place for teachers and parents to explain the history and sacrifice of service members, and a destination for veteran organizations to hold meetings.

The Carson City Elks Lodge 2177 and RSVP are having the third annual Veterans Pancake Breakfast on Saturday from 9-11 a.m.

The breakfast is free for senior veterans. The lodge is located at 515 N. Nevada St.

The Fallon Elks Lodge at 93 W. Center St., is having its Veterans Day lunch on Nov. 11 from 1-3 p.m. The cost is free for veterans with military identification. Donations are accepted by Elks and guests.