Activities honoring Americas armed forces are planned for Saturday and Sunday in Iola and Humboldt in honor of Veterans Day.
The events kick off at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Iolas First Christian Church, where breakfast will be served to the veterans and their spouses. The meal runs until 10 oclock.
The scene shifts to Jump Start Travel Center, 1700 East St., at 9:00 a.m., where a giant American flag will be raised for the first time on a recently erected flag pole to greet motorists approaching Iola from the east.
Former Magistrate Judge George Levans, who served in the Marines, will deliver the keynote address at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Veterans Wall on the courthouse square.
The speech will culminate with a balloon launch in recognition of Kansas servicemen either missing in action or prisoners of war.
The noon parade embarks from North Jefferson, heads south to the south side of the square, west along Madison and north on Washington. Any veteran who wishes to take part in the parade is invited to ride one of the floats.
A Humboldt Helicopter flyover will kick off the parade, weather permitting.
The parade also is open to youngsters.
Those who walk the parade route will be given ice cream, courtesy of Scoops and More, and a one-hour pass to Endless Summer.
The Iola Elks Lodge will wrap up Saturdays activities after the parade with a lunch following the parade. Veterans and their immediate family members are invited.
HUMBOLDTS activities on Sunday, presented by the Humboldt Historic Preservation Alliance and Humboldt Historical Society, will occur on the 100th anniversary of the original Armistice Day, the day fighting ceased to end World War I.
The communitys church bells will ring at 11 a.m., followed by peace prayers.
A downtown parade kicks off at 2 p.m., starting at Sixth and Bridge streets, and featuring a color guard, Humboldt High School marching band, military vehicles, decorated bicycles and Sons of Union Veterans. Transportation for veterans will be provided.
In case of inclement weather, the event will shift to the Humboldt Community Fieldhouse.
AREA schools are getting into the act on Friday.
Marmaton Valley High School will host all local veterans for a free meal at 11:30 a.m., followed by a matinee viewing of the school play, Just Another High School Play, that runs this weekend.
The fourth-grade class at Iolas Lincoln Elementary School will present a veterans program at 2:15 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Relatives of the fourth-graders who are current or former military personnel will speak.
