VETERANS DAY PARADE

Sunday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m., VA Medical Center, St. Cloud

The St. Cloud MetroVets, Times Media, VA Medical Center, and the City of St. Cloud are inviting veterans, veterans’ groups, and other groups who want to create a parade entry to honor veterans, to march in the 2009 St. Cloud Veterans Day Parade. Vehicles will be available to transport veterans who are unable to march but wish to participate in the parade.

Follow this link to the St. Cloud Times Veterans Day Parade page for details about the parade.

The organizers aim to create a parade similar to the 2008 event, which featured hundreds of participants and parade watchers.

The St. Cloud-area Veterans Day Parade and Social was first held in 2007, when Times Media joined forces with the St. Cloud Metrovets, the VA Medical Center, and the City of St. Cloud to create an event for the community to show its collective appreciation for the service and sacrifice of its veterans and active-duty military residents.

The Fighting Saints March in 2008 Veterans Day Parade (00:46)

The 2008 parade route, featuring 37 units, began at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 on the west side of the St. Cloud VA Medical Center campus and proceeded east across the Avenue of Flags and 44th Avenue, ending in the Apollo High School parking lot — a distance of about half a mile.

WWJO-98 Country music mobile (00:41)

After the parade, participants, spectators, and community members congregated in the Apollo High School Commons for refreshments and a couple of hours of socializing and musical entertainment.

Minnesota State Sen. Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud) in conversation at the social event after the parade, while Minnesota State Rep. Dan Severson (R-Sauk Rapids) explains his naval decorations to a young citizen. (00:07)

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis thanks veterans and parade organizers and participants (02:30)

These and other videos may be viewed here.

A Call for Donors

Possibly due to the tough economic climate, donations have not been as forthcoming as in previous years. Organizers are still seeking donations to provide coffee, cookies, and lemonade to veterans, their families, and spectators after the parade.

Area businesses or individuals who wish to make a contribution may contact parade coordinator Kelli Olson by phone at (320) 255-8767 or email at veteransparade@stcloudtimes.com

The event is intended to be community sponsored and event organizers need the public’s help to continue the tradition. Contributions will be recognized in St. Cloud Times coverage of the event.

A Call for Names of Active-Duty Service Members

Area Girl Scouts are creating signs with the names of currently-deployed military members to carry in the parade. If you know of a currently-deployed service member, please submit their name, hometown, and where they are serving to veteransparade@stcloudtimes.com so that they can be honored in the parade.

Click for More Information

Registration to march in the parade ended on Friday, Oct. 23; however, late entries can be accommodated if interested parties act quickly.

Download entry form (PDF)

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11/1/09 Update

In a Week, Come Out and Honor Veterans

Editorial Board
St. Cloud Times
November 1, 2009

Yes, we know Central Minnesotans are busy, especially on weekends. But here’s something worth making time for: Your family, friends and neighbors who have served and are serving in the armed forces.

We invite you to honor and thank them a week from today at the third annual Veterans Day Parade and Social.

At 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 37 veteran-themed entries (which should equate to about 300 people) will march from the west side of the St. Cloud VA Medical Center eastward, across 44th Avenue to Apollo High School.

After the half-mile parade you are welcome to be part of a very special treat. Plans are in place to have a live satellite connection with some local residents now serving with the Minnesota National Guard in Basra, Iraq.

That’s right. You can communicate with — and thank — some of your fellow Central Minnesotans as they serve our country. (Not to mention the scores of veterans who also will be at Apollo.)

While the satellite connection is unique this year, we hope most readers know the Veterans Day Parade and Social are not new, and that you plan to attend again or for your first time.

This will be the third straight year the parade will feature more than 30 entries. Dozens of local veterans groups will march the half-mile route, many carrying their colors. Mixed in will be a variety of other entries. Some will provide patriotic music while others will carry handmade placards displaying names of active-duty soldiers now deployed.

And just like in 2007 and 2008, Apollo’s Commons will be open after the parade to provide you with a place to thank in person your fellow veteran residents. Enjoy light refreshments, say thanks and be part of the program with the Red Bulls in Iraq.

This celebration is possible thanks to several organizations and many volunteers. Topping the list is the official sponsor, St. Cloud Metrovets. Other major sponsors include Times Media, the VA Medical Center and the city of St. Cloud. Also helping substantially are Shermock Financial, St. Cloud Lions Club, Short Stop Custom Catering, Eich Motors and KNSI.

Those are just a few of the many groups and people who are helping make this event one to remember.

Please plan to attend it a week from today — 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 at the VA Medical Center. Visit www.sctimes.com/vets for more information, including where to park and a route map.

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Related reports on this site

Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 11, 2009)

Veterans Day (Nov. 11, 2008)

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — October 23 , 2008

Iraqi army soldiers inspect a damaged car after a suicide car bomber targeted a government convoy in Bab al-Sharji, central Baghdad, on Oct. 23, 2008. (Photo credit: Hadi Mizban / AP)

Write-in Campaign: Day 5

One year ago today, on the fifth day of my write-in campaign against U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District, in line with my focus on national security, I reported on ongoing violence in the Iraq war. I also noted that Chuck Norris, in an article published Oct. 21, 2008 at HumanEvents.com, cited research conducted at my Unit for the Study of Personality in Politics.