Reno Veterans Day Parade
Reno's annual Veterans Day Parade always takes place on November 11, no matter what day of the week that might be. Veterans Day 2012 falls on a Sunday. This year's theme is "For Those Who Served, Every Day is Veterans Day." Parade ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. at Powning Veterans Memorial Park, 150 South Virginia Street (corner of Court and Virginia Streets). Ceremonies will include the singing of the National Anthem, a performance of Taps, and dignitaries placing a wreath in the Truckee River. The parade itself will then proceed north up Virginia Street to 5th Street.
The Reno Veterans Day Parade draws a big crowd of flag waving citizens and there is good viewing all along the route. However, if you want a spot to set up some chairs, arrive a bit early and stake your claim.
Veterans Day honors military veterans who have served the United States and protected our country. Reno's Veterans Day Parade includes active duty elements of various branches of the U.S. military, Reno veterans organizations, marching bands and ROTC units from Reno and Lake Tahoe area high schools, and all of us civilians who come out to support and thank the men and women who serve the nation. Check out my pictures of the Veterans Day Parade for a look at this colorful event.
Veterans Day Concert
Immediately following the parade, a free concert will be held in the Washoe County Courthouse parking lot (southwest corner of Court and South Virginia Streets), from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bands scheduled to play include The Vegas Road Show, Soldier Hard, and The Tarps. Various service organizations for veterans will also be present to help provide information to veterans.
Virginia City Veterans Day Parade
The Virginia City Veterans Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. by the Fourth Ward School and marches up C Street, the main thoroughfare through this city on the Comstock. For more information, call (775) 847-7500.
Government Offices Closed on Veterans Day
Veterans Day is a national holiday. Local, state, and federal government offices will be closed on Monday, November 12. This includes the DMV, Washoe County schools, and branches of the Washoe County Library.
More About Veterans Day
What we observe as Veterans Day began as Armistice Day following WWI. The significance of the November 11 date is because that war officially ended on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. The day became an official holiday in 1954 when it was signed into law by President Eisenhower. Read more about the history of this observance at About Veterans Day - Honoring All Who Served.
The Military in Nevada
Nevada has a long history of hosting elements of the United States military. It began at places like Ft. Churchill during the time emigrants where crossing Nevada to reach the promised land in California. Today, Nevada hosts prominent military installations like the Nevada National Guard, Naval Air Station Fallon (home of Top Gun pilots) and Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, home of the USAF Thunderbirds.
Fee-free Days on Federal Lands
During the Veterans Day weekend, November 10 - 12, recreation-related fees for visitors to lands administered by the Nevada BLM will be waived. Some fees will remain in effect - overnight camping, cabin rentals, and group day use fees. Other federal lands will also be observing the same fee-free days. For example, the National Park Service will open over 100 units in its system, including Death Valley National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada. Check the websites for information about lands administered by other federal agencies.
Source: City of Reno.
