California city hosts Veteran’s Day parade

Fremont, Calif., will host the Alameda County Veteran Affairs Commission’s Veterans Day parade, “Honoring Those Who Serve,” on Nov. 11. Also, the city has planned a millennium time capsule celebration and will be presented with the White House Millennium Award.

The Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commission is appointed by the county’s Board of Supervisors. Formed by a county resolution in 1953 to address and support veterans’ issues, the commission is composed of veterans from congressionally chartered veterans’ organizations.

Each year thousands of Alameda County residents travel to one of five local cities to see the 100-plus parade entries. In the past, entries have included patriotic floats, a fleet of World War I automobiles, marching bands and ROTC Corps. Also participating annually are local school groups, including the San Leandro Chinese Christian School Drum & Bell Corps.

This year’s parade will travel through Fremont’s thoroughfares and end at Central Park/Lake Elizabeth where the millennium time capsule ceremony will take place. Singer Nancy Sinatra will participate in this year’s parade and will sing the National Anthem at the time capsule ceremony. The event also will include an honor guard, a 21-gun salute and speeches by local veterans and city officials.

As part of the Veterans Day celebration, Fremont officials will accept the Millennium Community Award. The award, presented by the White House, recognizes communities that have implemented projects honoring the past and imagining the future. In addition to creating its time capsule, Fremont produced a millennium signature scroll and a citywide event honoring the millennium.

The millennium time capsule will contain items such as a high school yearbook, a poster from Earth Day, a CD featuring the Fremont Symphony Orchestra, a scrapbook of city events and items donated by veterans. The city plans to unearth the capsule in 2050.

For community members who are unable to attend, the ceremony will be broadcast live on the city’s Web site (www.ci.fremont.ca.us).