Veterans Day events parade through East Valley

Flyovers, parades and assemblies are just some of the East Valley events planned to honor the men and women who have served in our nation's military.

East Valley Veteran's Day weekend events

Veterans Day parade struggles to find support

Whether you want to hear high school bands play patriotic music, listen to veterans tell their stories, or stand on the edge of a road and watch a parade go by, there's something for you this Veterans Day.

A Veterans Day celebration will be noon to 2 p.m. today at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1650 S. Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction. The free event will include patriotic music, lunch, giveaways and presentations to honor veterans. Information: (480) 982-0221.

Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble will host a free Veterans Day Patriotic Tribute Concert at 7 p.m. today at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. Information: (480) 350-2829.

Higley High School will host a Veterans Day Tribute at 10 a.m. Monday at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert. Craig Fouhy from ABC Channel 15 will be the master of ceremonies, and U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., will give the keynote speech.

There will be a flyover of a World War II Navy plane, video and flag presentations and the announcing of local veterans' names. Information: (480) 279-7300.

The town of Gilbert, in partnership with the Gilbert Historical Society, is holding its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday on the lawn of the Gilbert Municipal Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive. The guest speaker is Frank Schmuck, Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society president. The ceremony has been recognized as a 2008 Veterans Day Regional Site by the Veterans Day National Committee.

The Mesquite High School Band will play patriotic music starting at 11 a.m. The 30-minute ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a complimentary lunch. Information: www.gilbertveteransday.com.

Queen Creek Middle School is hosting a Veterans Day assembly at 2:15 p.m. Monday on the football field, 20435 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek. All veterans and their families are invited to attend and will be honored with a wall of recognition and music performed by students.

Information: (480) 987-5940.

A Veterans Day Parade will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in downtown Mesa. The parade will start at the Mesa Convention Center and head south to First Avenue, then west to end at Macdonald. There will be free events after the parade. Information: www.azveterans.com.

The Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department and the Veterans Medical Leadership Council are hosting the 12th annual VA Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m. Tuesday starting at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center grounds at Seventh Street and Indian School Road in Phoenix. There will be an Apache helicopter flyover, a special salute to veterans serving in Afghanistan, and four recent veterans will serve as grand marshals. The parade will feature 100 patriotic entries, including historic military vehicles, veterans service organizations, marching units, color guards, canine and equestrian units, floats, giant helium balloons, and bands. Information: www.phoenix.va.gov/news/parade.asp.

The Tempe Veterans Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday in downtown Tempe. The parade begins at Mill Avenue and Apache Boulevard and ends with a ceremony and picnic at Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway. High school marching bands, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, veterans and community members will participate.

Information: (480) 968-0634.

Scottsdale's Veterans Day Ceremony will be 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. There will be guest speakers and live performances. Train rides cost $2, and carousel rides are $1.

Information: (480) 312-2312 or www.therailroadpark.com.