Among the many things Veterans Day committee chairwoman Sharon Boyer is excited for is the sheer number of children participating in this year’s Veterans Day ceremonies.

Boyer said about 750 children will be taking part in the Nov. 11 parade and following ceremony at the War Veterans Memorial, located between the Multi-Service Center and Town Hall.

“I’ve got four squads of cheerleaders. I’ve got football teams,” Boyer said. “I’ve even got this one group – they are children from four years old to 11 … They are a drill team, and they are amazing.”

Though she is not a veteran herself, Boyer’s father was in the military, and her son is in the Marines. She began overseeing the Veterans Day committee five years ago, because “it is so easy to say thank you”, and she worries about the younger generations’ understanding of the day.

“Sometimes, the young people are not aware of how important the day is, and we don’t want to lose sight of that,” Boyer said. “I want to make the day the best I can for the younger people, because they are the ones who are going to lead the country.”

Committee member Ilene Klaver agreed. One of her sons is currently in the military, and a grandson is interested in joining the Navy.

“We are pretty heavily connected and dedicated to the veterans,” Klaver said. “Whatever we can do for them is not enough.”

But the children are just one of the surprises Boyer and the committee of four others have been planning for the past 10 months for Wareham's 1,800 or so veterans. Though she did not want to reveal too many of the surprises planned for the veterans, Boyer said there would also be more decoration along the parade route, as well as a special display of flags.

“In the past, we have had small American flags, but, in addition, there will be a three-by-five flag for each branch of the service,” Boyer said.

Boyer said this year’s grand marshal Philip Strawn will ride in the traditional WWII jeep, and there will be several speakers at the memorial ceremony.

In advance of the day, Boyer said people could drop off cases of water and dessert items at the multiservice center on Nov. 10 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., or at 7 a.m. on Nov. 11.

The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. at Besse Park, go up Chapel Road, and end on Viking Drive. Following the parade will be a ceremony at the veterans memorial between Town Hall and the Multiservice Center. After the ceremony, visitors may look at the Memorial Board, posted in Town Hall, while veterans eat a special veterans-only luncheon.