Whether you can give an hour or a whole day, whether you want to direct parade participants or serve lunch, your service is needed on Veterans Day.

Veterans Day will be observed on Monday, November 12. Organizers Bob White and Sharon Boyer are planning a morning parade down Main Street to Town Hall, a ceremony in the Town Hall parking lot, and a luncheon for veterans and their families.

"This is a community activity to recognize veterans," said White, who served in the Army Reserves for 28 years. "And it's a celebration. Not a memorial."

White and Boyer, who planned the parade with veteran John Wagner last year, are hoping this year's event will be as big and successful as the last.

But in order for that to happen, "we need people!" said Boyer, who serves as an assistant Scoutmaster for the Wareham Boy Scouts.

The team is coordinating the event for the Wareham Veterans Council.

Volunteers are needed to direct participants through the parade route, to set up tables and serve lunch, and to assist with clean-up.

Parade participants are also being recruited. All are welcome to make a float with a patriotic theme and join the marchers, White said.

Donations are needed for the veterans' lunch. Organizers are looking to serve a light lunch and are seeking donations of drinks, coffee, paper goods, baked goods, and other lunchtime fare.

Any leftover food will be donated to the Kendrick House in Wareham.

Flowers and table decorations are also sought.

The event will go on rain or shine. If you would like to help, contact Bob White at 508-274-4963, Sharon Boyer at 508-291-0187, or e-mail wrcw@verizon.net.

"Armistice Day," which later became Veterans Day, celebrated the end of World War I.

"Now we're celebrating the end of other wars," said White, "and just being alive."