Veterans Day 2022: Where to see the Phoenix parade, plus other ceremonies around town
Across metro Phoenix, U.S. military service members will be recognized and celebrated at Veterans Day 2022 parades, community events and special performances on and ahead of the federal holiday on Nov. 11.
Veterans Day takes place on a Friday this year, but events in the Valley span the entire week of Nov. 6. Parades will take place in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Surprise, and the Heard Museum and Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix will host their own festivities.
Fly-overs are planned in Fountain Hills and Anthem, too.
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When is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11. It recognizes the armistice during World War I between Germany and the Allies, which took effect on the 11th hour — Paris time — of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11, 1919, as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.
When Congress passed an act in 1938, Nov. 11 became a holiday dedicated to Armistice Day and WWI veterans.
“In 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the nation’s history, after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word ‘Armistice’ and inserting in its place the word ‘veterans,’” reads the VA’s website on the history of Veterans Day.
Now, Veterans Day is “a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”
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What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Memorial Day and Veterans Day both recognize those who have served in the U.S military.
Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May each year. It’s a day to honor U.S. military members who died on active duty. Veterans Day encompasses all service members.
Is Veterans Day a federal holiday?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday. Mail is not delivered; courts and nonessential federal and city offices are closed; banks and public schools are typically closed. Some public transportation options may be affected as well.
Here are the events across metro Phoenix that will honor U.S. service members on and ahead of Veterans Day 2022.
Sun City Veterans Day tribute
The Sun City Concert Band and Women’s Chorus will honor Veterans Day with a performance “that is certain to please both patriots and music fans alike.”
Guests are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and bring lawn chairs and blankets. The event will be relocated to Sundial Auditorium at 103rd Avenue and Boswell Boulevard if there is inclement weather that day.
Details: 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. Sun Bowl Amphitheater, 10220 N. 107th Ave., Sun City. Free. 623-972-6014, https://suncityaz.org/events/veterans-day-tribute.
Gilbert Veterans Day Ceremony
The city will host keynote speaker Major General Patrick Brady, guest speakers, food trucks, musical performances from students attending local schools and military displays on Thursday, Nov. 10. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Details: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10. Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road. Free. https://www.gilbertaz.gov.
Glendale Veterans Day ceremony
Glendale's annual Veterans Day ceremony can be accessed in-person at the Glendale Main Library and online on the city's Facebook page starting at 8 a.m. on Nov. 11.
Details: 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale. https://www.facebook.com/GlendaleAZ.
Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony
The five-pillar staggered monument dedicated to the service and sacrifices of the U.S. armed forces in Anthem’s Community Park will have its annual solar spotlight on the Great Seal of the United States at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11. There will also be a F-35 Jet Flyover at that time.
Pre-ceremony festivities include a breakfast, musical performance and 50th anniversary commemorative pin and official welcome home ceremony for Vietnam War veterans.
Details: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Anthem Veterans Memorial, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Phoenix. Free. 623-742-4554, https://www.onlineatanthem.com.
Tempe Veterans Day Parade
Tempe’s Veterans Day parade featuring Tempe City Council members, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, local school marching bands and veterans begins at 10 a.m. at ASU Gammage, near Mill Avenue and 12th Street. The route heads north on Mill and the procession ends at Tempe Beach Park.
Details: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. Free. https://www.downtowntempe.com/events/veterans-day-parade.
Surprise Veterans Day Parade
Surprise’s Veterans Day Parade will begin on Bullard Avenue at Paradise Lane and proceed south to Tierra Buena Lane. There will be a pancake breakfast available for purchase between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. at Surprise Stadium.
Parking is available at Surprise Community Park and Surprise Aquatic Center lots (15953 N. Bullard Ave.).
Details: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Surprise Recreation Campus, 15960 N. Bullard Ave. Free. 623-222-2000, https://www.surpriseaz.gov.
Phoenix Veterans Day Parade
The approximately two-hour parade — whose theme this year is "Liberty, Honor and Sacrifice" — in central Phoenix starts just south of Bethany Home Road, at Montebello and Central avenues. The route goes south and turns east on Camelback Road, then south on Seventh Street, finishing around Indian School Road.
Seven veterans representing every foreign war or conflict from World War II through Afghanistan will serve as grand marshals.
Details: 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Montebello and Central avenues, Phoenix. Free. 480-368-8714, https://www.honoringamericasveterans.org.
East Valley Veterans Parade in Mesa
The theme of Mesa's parade is "Raise the Flag" to "recognize the impact of various flags and their importance to our military veterans," according to the East Valley Veterans Parade. A short program with remarks from Mayor John Giles will start at 10:40 a.m.
The procession begins at University Drive and Center Street at 11 a.m. and heads south before turning west on First Street, ending at Robson. Go to https://evvp.org/parade-route-map for the route, bleacher and stage locations.
The grand marshal is retired Army Col. Bruce Crandall, who received a Medal of Honor in 2007.
Details: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. University Drive and Center Street, Mesa. Free. 480-684-2324, https://evvp.org.
Pueblo Grande Museum Veterans Day Gourd Dance and Community Potluck
The annual gourd dance by the Arizona Territory Gourd Society returns to Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix in honor of those who have served our nation. Dancing begins at 11:30 a.m. and will take place outside.
Participants are encouraged to bring packaged food rather than homemade dishes to share during the potluck.
Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. Free. 602-534-2430, https://pueblogrande.org.
Veterans Day Tribute at the Heard Museum
The Heard Museum will honor “the service and sacrifices given to our nation by American Indian veterans and all those who have served in the Armed Forces” with special programming on Veterans Day. There will be live music, a veteran art market and the debut of the exhibition "In the Service Of: American Indian Artists and Tributes" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At 5 p.m., the 10th annual Veterans Day Sunset Tribute will commence, followed by a presentation of commemorative medallions to veterans and an outdoor reception.
From Tuesday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 13, veterans — and a plus-one each — are eligible for free museum admission.
Details: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free. 602-252-8840, https://heard.org/event/veterans-day-tribute.
Goodyear Veterans Day Tribute Festival
Goodyear will host food trucks, a concert featuring performances by veterans and active-duty service members, giveaways and children's activities in celebration of Veterans Day. Local artists have been commissioned to paint patriotic-themed murals in the Civic Square, which can be viewed during the event.
Details: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Goodyear Civic Square, 1900 N. Civic Square. Free. 623-882-7525, https://www.goodyearaz.gov.
Fountain Hills
VFW Post 7507, American Legion Post 58 and Marine Corps League Detachment 1439 will present Fountain Hills' annual event at the town's Veteran's Memorial. According to the town's website, "a special missing man formation will fly over the lake as part of the ceremony."
Details: 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Fountain Hills Veterans Memorial, 17166-17198 E. El Lago Blvd. Free. https://www.fountainhillsaz.gov.
Paradise Valley Veterans Day Car Show
Check out more than 150 vintage sports, antique, special interest and race cars as well as motorcycles that date to 1981 or earlier at Paradise Valley's annual Veterans Day Car Show. There will be no parade or luncheon at this year's event.
To submit your vehicle, go to https://carshow2022.givesmart.com or contact Diane Wayland at 480-348-3530.
Details: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Paradise Valley Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. 480-348-3530, https://www.paradisevalleyaz.gov.
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Veterans Day 2022 in Phoenix: Parades, ceremonies, concerts
