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 2011 falls on a Friday. The parade starts at Court Street at 11 a.m., marches up S. Virginia Street, crosses the Truckee River and winds up at 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.
Virginia City Veterans Day Parade
The Virginia City Veterans Day Parade starts at 12 noon and marches down C Street, the main thoroughfare through this city on the Comstock. For more information, call (775) 847-4386.
Government Offices Closed on Veterans Day
Veterans Day is a national holiday. Local, state, and federal government offices will be closed. This includes the DMV 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 11 - 13, 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.
