A number of veterans are taking part in this year’s “Honor Our Veterans” Veterans Day Parade, including the keynote speaker Captain Allen Metcalfe Jr. from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, who served during Desert Storm. 

Members of the community also have an opportunity to honor the veterans in their own lives. 

The Veterans Day Parade Committee is holding an “Honor YOUR Veteran” fundraiser where anyone can honor a special veteran in their life, according to Nora Bicki, a member of the parade committee. 

Those interested can pick up a flyer outside the town clerk’s office or from the Council on Aging. The deadline is Saturday, Oct. 21.

The parade is sponsored by both the town and the Wareham Minutemen & Militia Companies, Inc., but additional sponsorships are necessary to help “defray the costs such as the specialty marching units, police detail,” said Bicki.

On Thursday, Sept. 28, the parade committee accepted a $1,000 donation from Rockland Trust Bank's manager Vincent Pircio, marking the bank as a “platinum donor.”

“We are excited to see such community participation and excitement as the committee plans the parade,” Bicki said.

The parade committee is led by Matt Stanton from the Wareham High School JROTC program, Lieutenant Howard Smith of the Wareham Minutemen & Militia Companies, Inc. and Judith Whiteside, from the Wareham Select Board.

As the Nov. 11 date approaches, the parade committee continues to make progress in planning the day’s festivities.

Bicki said a number of veterans, community organizations, youth groups and businesses are already signed up to complete the march that starts at 10 a.m. at Besse Park and ends at Centre Park.

In addition, there will be Clydesdale horses, stilt walkers with wing dancers, jugglers and Mickey and Minnie Mouse joining the parade.

There will be free face painting, balloon animals and figures in Pezzoli Square from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. — before the parade. 

The committee is still in the process of choosing the Grand Marshal.

Bicki said there will be a reviewing stand at the Wareham Fire Department and a ceremony will follow the parade at Centre Park, which will then be followed by a free meal for veterans at the First Congregational Church, located at 11 Gibbs Avenue.

She said plenty of parking will be available off of Main Street through the assistance of local businesses.

A free shuttle will run from the Town Hall parking lot as well. There will be signs and volunteers to help people park.

The parade committee is also still looking for volunteers and participants.

For more information, contact WarehamVeteransParade@wareham.ma.us.