Last November, over 60 people volunteered their time for Wareham’s annual Veterans Day Celebration—which includes a parade, a memorial ceremony, and a luncheon for veterans at the Multi-Service Center—but organizers say they could have used even more help.

“It wasn’t enough,” said Sharon Boyer, the co-chair of the Veterans Council, who are responsible for putting on the event.

Boyer and the council’s other co-chair, Bob White, an Army Veteran who served in the Azores from 1962 to 1964, aren’t complaining though. They just know it takes a lot of help, and they’re currently looking for volunteers for this November, which will be the parade’s 56th year in Wareham.

Boyer and White said they’re currently in the process of trying to decide on a grand marshall for the parade. They need an individual to narrate the parade, someone to coordinate the luncheon, and members to serve on the organization committee alongside them. They also need people to volunteer some time in general on the day of the event.

“If you can volunteer an hour, that’d be great,” said Boyer. “We don’t need you the whole day.”

Both Boyer and White said that this year marks the first time in a long time that Jim Newman, a decorated veteran from Wareham, won’t be helping to organize the event. Newman passed away earlier this year.

About four years ago, Newman, who was the former chair of the Veterans Council, asked White and Boyer for help after he was unable to do so due to health reasons.

“This will be the first year without him,” said White, noting that he and Boyer have plans to honor his years of participation at the ceremony.

Boyer and White said they’d like to attract some younger volunteers as well.

“We’re hoping to find some high school students or community youth-oriented organizations that would be interested in the process,” said Boyer, who noted that in the past, the Wareham High JROTC has helped them out, and that they hope to have their support again this year.

They also said they’re looking to find musical groups that’d be willing to participate, as well.

“Music has always been very difficult,” said Boyer. “Some church choir might be like, ‘We can do that.’”

Veterans groups from Bourne and Brockton will participate in the parade among a group of others, and White said that members of the Wareham Elks, the Dudley Brown VFW, and the Wareham American Legion also lend support.

White said the celebration operates with zero budget but with physical support from Town of Wareham itself. He said they rely on donations from local people and businesses to help them provide food for the Veterans and cover the costs of the parade, and that anyone interested in helping provide food or donations is welcomed to do so.

Last year, they fed approximately 300 veterans at the luncheon.

“That was on the back of individuals and businesses within the community,” he said.

The parade will start at Besse Park on November 11 at 10:30, and finishes at Town Hall, where a memorial ceremony will take place with the luncheon to follow. Anyone interested in volunteering or donating can contact Bob White at 508-274-4963 or at wrcw@verizon.net.