Veterans Day parade set for Saturday in Ephrata
Cadets with the Civil Air Patrol’s Columbia Basin Composite Squadron carry the colors as the annual Veterans Day Parade steps off in front of the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata last year. This year’s parade will be the 26th annual event.
File photo
EPHRATA — American Legion Art Semro Post 28 in Ephrata has invited the public to attend a Veteran’s Day Parade and luncheon this Saturday, which is also Veteran’s Day proper.
“We’ll march south on C Street to Second Avenue Southwest, turn left, travel one block to Basin Street, then turn left again,” said long-time post member Jane Montaney.
The parade will also stop in front of the Ephrata Recreation Center and fire a rifle salute at 11 a.m. in memory of the armistice that ended World War I on the eleventh hour, day and month. An additional salute will be fired at the Vietnam Memorial in front of the Grant County Courthouse prior to the end of the parade.
After the parade, the post will have a luncheon with a prayer and a ceremony honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action. Parade participants and veterans in the area are invited to the post at 276 Eighth Ave. NW in Ephrata. Soup and sandwiches will be served by American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 28 members.
Montaney also encouraged area residents to participate in Operation Green Light, which began last year. The year-long event involves placing a blue or green light in an outdoor fixture or in a window to honor service members — green lights — and police officers — blue lights — who are serving.
“The lights are an expression of support for law officers, veterans and their families,” Montaney said. “Letting them know their service matters and we’re grateful for their sacrifices both while in uniform and after transitioning to civilian life.”