American Legion to host USMC ceremony, veterans parade next week

EPHRATA — American Legion Art Semro Post and Unit 28 will celebrate the founding of the Marine Corps and honor veterans with ceremonies Nov. 10 and 11, according to an announcement from the post. 

On Nov. 10, the post will mark the 249th birthday of the United States Marine Corps and 104 years of service for the American Legion Auxiliary with a cake-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m., according to the announcement. The cake-cutting ceremony originated with the USMC; it has been edited slightly to include the Marines’ “little sisters,” the American Legion Auxiliary. All members and guests are welcome.  

On Nov. 11, the post will host its 27th annual Veteran’s Day Parade on Nov. 11, according to the announcement. All organizations and individuals wishing to honor veterans are invited to attend.  

The parade will assemble at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Grant County Courthouse and will step off at approximately 10:45 a.m. Marchers will proceed south on C Street to Second Avenue Southwest, turn left, travel one block to Basin Street, then turn left again. The parade will 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 — at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. Marchers will then continue north on Basin Street to First Avenue Northwest, turn left, travel one block, and turn left again. Another salute will be fired at the Vietnam Memorial in front of the courthouse. 

There will be a luncheon after the parade, the post wrote. The meal will begin with a prayer and POW/MIA ceremony. Parade participants and veterans in the area are invited down to the Post Home at 276 Eighth Ave Northwest, Ephrata, for the luncheon of soup and sandwiches hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 28.  

Anyone wishing to participate in the parade is invited to call Mike Montaney at 509-989-4417.