The Veterans Day Celebration Committee will host a slate of activities in observance of Veterans Day. The Veterans Celebration Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10 (rain date November 15) at the junction of Whittington, Park and Central avenues, proceeding south on Central Avenue and ending at Olive Street. US Stations radio personality Dick Antoine and local entertainer Tom Wilkins will serve as parade announcers.
The Veterans Committee, comprised of area volunteers, sponsored the first parade in 1999. Area school bands, fire departments, fire departments, antique military vehicle groups, scouting groups, veterans groups and area clubs participate each year, including entries from communities across the state.
At 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11, a Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Garland County Veterans Memorial in the Transportation Plaza at Orange Street. Jodine Tooke, retired U.S. Air Force colonel, will be the keynote speaker.
From noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, the 17th annual USO-type show will be held near the J.C. Penney’s store inside the Hot Springs Mall, 4501 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. The show pays tribute to the dedicated men and women who have served and often given much to preserve the freedom that Americans enjoy. All performers donate their services, and there is no cost for the show.
A free spaghetti dinner and dance for veterans and guests will be held on Saturday, November 12 at the Elks Lodge #380, 132 Abbott Place. Dinner will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the band will play from 7 to 10 p.m. for dancing. Veterans are encouraged to wear prior military uniforms.
The committee is supported by the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs Mall, Hot Springs Elks Lodge #380, Hot Springs Emblem Club #194, KLAZ, KZNG and US Stations, and by donations and services from area veteran groups including the VFW, A.B.A.T.E., D.A.V., Air Force Association and others.