Parade to take spotlight Wednesday morning

All veterans are encouraged to participate in the 2009 Veterans Day Parade scheduled Wednesday in downtown Nogales.

This year, World War II veterans will be co-grand marshals of the parade sponsored by Nogales Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2066 and the American Legion Ridge Igo Post 23.

The staging is planned for 9 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the U.S. Post Office and Santa Cruz County Historic 1904 Courthouse and is to begin at 10 a.m.

A fly-over by F-16s from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson is scheduled for about 10:15 a.m.

The parade route will be south on Morley Avenue to Park Street and then north on Grand Avenue, ending at the Food City parking lot. For the first time, the VFW Riders will participate on their motorcycles.

VFW Commander Joe Diaz said the traditional Memorial Day ceremony will be held following the parade at the Veterans Memorial Wall at Nogales City Hall.

Speakers will include Mayor Octavio Garcia-Von Borstel, VFW Commander Joe Diaz and American Legion Commander Cesar Parada. Chaplain Miguel Ronquillo will be master of ceremonies and offer the invocation.

The public is invited for refreshments at the VFW Hall, 653 N. Grand Ave., at about 11:30 a.m. after the parade.