A Veterans Day Grand Parade will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, starting at 10 a.m. at Mahn Funeral Home, 900 N. Main St., and ending at De Soto High School, 815 Amvets Drive.
It will be followed by a free luncheon at the Knights to Columbus Hall, 13225 Hwy. E, in De Soto for veterans, active military personnel and their families, as well as parade participants.
The luncheon will feature two veterans memorials – the “Remembering Our Fallen” Gulf War-era wall of honor and First State Community Bank’s Wall of Honor.
The luncheon also will include giveaways, and a veterans’ benefit officer will be on hand to answer questions and help veterans process paperwork for benefits.
A skydiving exhibition will be held before the start of the parade, weather permitting, organizer Kay Kite said.
De Soto High School band students are scheduled to perform in the parade, and members of the De Soto Armory will post colors at the parade and the luncheon.
A U.S. flag that was flown over the capitol in Washington, D.C., will be given to a veteran at the luncheon, Kite said.
A raffle for a military-themed piece of artwork created by De Soto artist Julie Zagorski will be held, too. She donated the 20-by-40-inch metal piece, which is valued at $850 and features photographic images of a bald eagle and medals of honors from each of the major conflicts since World War I. Raffle tickets cost $10 for six, and the drawing will be held during the luncheon.
In case of severe weather, the parade will be canceled, but the luncheon will still be held, Kite said.
The veterans event is sponsored by the De Soto Community Foundation and the De Soto Chamber of Commerce. It is funded with donations from local businesses, organizations and residents, and the foundation is seeking donations for next year’s event, Kite said.
Several other De Soto businesses and organizations help with the parade and luncheon, including the De Soto VFW Post 1831, De Soto Amvets 48, the De Soto Elks and the De Soto Knights of Columbus.
To participate in the parade or for more information, contact Kite at 314-852-5485.