The Town of Payson presents Veterans Day 2011 Friday, November 11

Payson musician John Carpino at a previous Veterans Day program

The theme, "Thank You and Welcome Home Veterans," will be featured in a program at Payson High School Auditorium at 11 a.m.

All citizens are invited to join with friends and neighbors to commemorate those who have defended, and continue to defend, the standards and values upon which our country was founded and renew our resolve in support of our American way of life.

THIS YEAR’S PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE:

• Refreshments.
• Welcoming remarks.
• A Presentation of the Colors by the Payson Military Honor Guard/CAP.
• An Invocation.
• Addresses by: The Mayor of Payson, Payson Chief of Police and Payson Fire Chief
• A series of moving tributes presented by the students of the Payson High School Drama Department headed by Ms Kathy Siler. The tributes will include: A musical tribute by the Payson Choral Society Singers, presentations by our community youth, a special award presentation.
• A Patriotic Medley of Service Hymns.
• A Benediction and Moment of Silent Reflection.
• Singing of “Amazing Grace”…. Followed by…
• A moving Bugle Tribute of TAPS.
• Closing Remarks.

Following the program at the PHS Auditorium, a selected number of veterans will be taken to lunch courtesy of the Classic Car Club.

November 11, Veterans Day, has been proclaimed as a time to honor our veterans, past and present. Join your fellow citizens to honor our veterans on this patriotic occasion. It is a time to re-dedicate ourselves to the principles and values for which they fought and are continuing to fight defending and preserving our precious freedoms. More than ever, during these challenging times, we need to band together and profess our belief in the basic values that our founding fathers established for our nation.

Veterans Day in the Valley

Join Us for the Once In a Lifetime VA Veterans Day Parade

11/11/11 Happens only once every 100 years

PHOENIX, AZ - The annual VA Veterans Day Parade will kick off at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11. This year’s parade theme is “Veterans Our Resilient Heroes,” honoring Veterans who have fought in all Wars and Conflicts including World War II, Korean, Vietnam, the Cold War, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Now in its 15th year, the parade is one of the premier Veterans Day Parades in the nation, with tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend. The Phoenix-based commemoration is one of the largest such events in the nation and has been designated as a Regional Site for celebrating the holiday.

Presented by the Phoenix VA Health Care System  the parade will feature more than 100 entries, including historic military vehicles; more than 50 Veterans Service Organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, 12 marching units, color guards; canine and equestrian units-including the reenactment of the Buffalo Soldiers; 19 floats; six giant helium balloons including a Doctor, a WWI Nurse name VANNAH, Rosie the Riveter and others; novelty units and 12 bands.

In addition, this year’s parade is an Arizona Centennial Event and is honored to be celebrating with our great state as it turns 100 years old in 2012!

Parade Grand Marshals include Veterans from each conflict since World War II. World War II Marshal is Nelson Mitchell; Korean War Marshal is David Mills; Vietnam War Marshal is Larry Brown; Cold War Marshal is Art Sloane; Desert Storm Marshal is Frank Schmuck; Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) Marshal is Gabrielle Duffey and Operation Iraqi Freedom Marshal is RJ Mitchell.

New this year, PVAHCS hopes to engage more community members by adding social media via Facebook at www.facebook.com/PhxVAHealthcare and trending with the hashtag #PhxVAParade on twitter www.twitter.com/PhvVAHealthcare.