Veterans Day: parades and more

Veterans Day is special this year. Not only does it fall on November 11, 2011 (all elevens), but with troops in Iraq coming home before the end of the year, there will be a lot of new veterans to celebrate. Even if you don’t support war, we can all agree that it’s only right to support our fellow men and women who were, for better or worse, thrust into the thick of it, and returned home alive. Interesting fact: Veterans Day falls on the ending day of World War I. And though veterans of all wars could use more than one national holiday to recognize them, everyone can celebrate the commemorative day by attending one or more of the following Sacramento area events.

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Veterans Week

What: California State Military Museum celebrates California Veterans.

When: November 10-11

Where: California State Military Museum, 1119 Second Street

Why: There will be current and historic military equipment on display and author David Styles will talk about World War II.

More: Free. For more information, call (916) 854-1904 or visit www.militarymuseum.org.

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Sacramento Veterans Day Parade

What: The city of Sacramento will host a Veterans Day Parade.

When: Friday, November 11, at 10 a.m.

Where: Beginning at Capitol Avenue and Third Street, continuing up Capitol Mall

Why: Sacramento Valley Veterans will lead the color guard for this event, the first Sacramento Veterans Day parade in nearly a decade. There will also be vendor booths.

More: Free. For more information, call (916) 808-6525 or email <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,115,97,99,118,101,116,112,97,114,97,100,101,64,99,105,116,121,111,102,115,97,99,114,97,109,101,110,116,111,46,111,114,103,34,62,115,97,99,118,101,116,112,97,114,97,100,101,64,99,105,116,121,111,102,115,97,99,114,97,109,101,110,116,111,46,111,114,103,60,47,97,62)) } </script>.

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West Sacramento Veterans Day Parade

What: The city of West Sacramento salutes veterans.

When: Friday, November 11, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Where: Parade begins at Westmore Oaks Elementary School, 1100 Clarendon Road in West Sacramento. Festivities at Sam Combs Park, 205 Stone Boulevard.

Why: Sponsored by Eskaton, this parade will be followed by a festival in Sam Combs Park featuring civic and community organizations and local businesses.

More: Free. For more information, call (916) 371-2060, or email <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,100,101,98,98,105,101,46,114,101,121,110,111,108,100,115,64,101,115,107,97,116,111,110,46,111,114,103,34,62,100,101,98,98,105,101,46,114,101,121,110,111,108,100,115,64,101,115,107,97,116,111,110,46,111,114,103,60,47,97,62)) } </script>.

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Grounds for Resistance

What: Sacramento Area Peace Action hosts a film screening of Grounds for Resistance.

When: Friday, November 11, 7 p.m.

Where: Sacramento Area Peace Action, 909 12th Street

Why: This film tells the story of Coffee Strong, a veteran-owned coffee shop where vets, families and service members can drink coffee while discussing current issues related to veterans.

More: Call for pricing. For more information, call (916) 448-7157 or visit www.sacpeace.org.

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Medal of Honor Tour

What: Old City Cemetery hosts a tour highlighting Americans who were decorated for valor.

When: Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m.

Where: Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, 1000 Broadway

Why: Docents Marcia Rogers and Liz Zeliff will guide you to grave sites and tell stories of Americans and Medal of Honor winners who served in the armed forces.

More: Free. Meet in the parking lot for the tour. For more information, call (916) 264-7839 or visit www.oldcitycemetery.com.

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Bring Them Peace

What: Sacramento State’s three choirs salute Veterans Day with a concert titled Bring Them Peace.

When: Saturday, November 12, 8 p.m.

Where: Sacred Heart Church, 1040 39th Street

Why: This evening will feature a program of narration and music celebrating veterans of all wars. Works include compositions by Samuel Barber (pictured), Jeffrey Van and Rupert Lang.

More: Suggested donations are $10, or $5 for students and seniors. For more information, call (916) 278-4323 or visit www.csus.edu/music/choral.