Veterans parade is Wednesday in Ephrata
Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images<br> The American flag flies over the US Marine Memorial in Arlington, Va. The memorial, dedicated to Marines who have fallen in all wars, depicts the flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II.
EPHRATA — American Legion Post 28 is having the 12th annual Veterans Day Parade Wednesday morning in Ephrata.
The parade assembles at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Grant County Courthouse located at 35 C St., according to the legion. The parade begins at 10:45 a.m.
“The purpose of the parade is to honor America’s veterans past and present,” legion reports. “The theme of the parade never changes, ‘Freedom is not free, it is bought and paid for by America’s veterans.’”
From the courthouse, the parade marches south on C Street to Second Avenue, turns left, travels one block to Basin Street and turns left again, legion reports.
Once the parade reaches the Ephrata Recreation Center, a 21 gun salute is slated for 11 a.m. The salute signifies the memory of the Armistice that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
After the gun salute, the parade continues north on Basin Street to First Avenue Northwest and turns left. When they reach the Vietnam Memorial in front of the courthouse they will perform another gun salute, legion reports. The parade concludes at the corner of C Street and Division Avenue.
The public is invited to a luncheon at the legion post after the parade. The lunch features soup and sandwiches hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary.
The legion post is located at 276 Eighth Ave. NW.
— Staff report