Charleston Veterans Day Parade is Saturday

Charleston’s Veterans Day parade will be held downtown Saturday afternoon.

Police officials stress interruptions to traffic won’t be long-term and that cars will not have to be moved out of street parking spaces during the event.

The parade will begin at 3:30 p.m., kicked off by the playing of the National Anthem and a fly-over from a C-17 aircraft.

Charleston police Lt. Jason Emanuele said some parking spaces will be blocked off ahead of time but not all cars will have to be removed from the parade route.

The parade will last about 90 minutes, with city streets opening again once the last group in the march has passed by.

All streets should be cleared by 5:30 p.m.

The parade is sponsored by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and will feature historic military vehicles, motorcycle groups, veterans service organization floats and more.

Grand marshal is Capt. Kenney Gutshall, commanding officer of Naval Health Clinic Charleston.

The parade begins at 3:30 p.m. and travels from Concord and Market streets, west on Market to East Bay Street, then East Bay to Broad Street, then from Broad Street ending at Colonial Lake.

Other events:

North Charleston
Annual Veterans Day parade at 10 a.m. today at the Military Magnet Academy, 2450 Carner Ave., North Charleston.

The city of North Charleston will host its annual Veterans Day tribute from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Park Circle. All veterans in attendance will be recognized and will receive a specially designed commemorative coin.

Prior to the ceremony, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., a story swap will be held in the Felix Davis Community Center.

Veterans will have an open opportunity to share memories and stories about their service with fellow veterans. The story swap is open to the public.

Veterans wishing to speak should RSVP to 740-5850.

Magnolia Plantation
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is offering free admission on Sunday and Monday to active duty military personnel and veterans and their immediate family.

This applies only to the general garden admission. Separate tours are not included. Valid active duty or veteran’s identification is required.

Patriots Point
The 2012 Carrier Classic will transform the carrier Yorktown into a basketball arena today, meaning the museum will be closed to the public for day visitation. On Monday, Patriots Point will offer free admission for all veterans and their families; the $5 per vehicle parking fee will still apply.

Summerville
Summerville’s annual Veterans Day ceremony has several sponsors. The ceremony will be held Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Dorchester County Services Building, 500 N. Main St.

A reception and fellowship will immediately follow at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3433, 10154 Bellwright Road, Ladson. For directions or additional information, call 709-0068.

More
Various other park and area visitation sites are dropping entrance fees for veterans in the days ahead. Some restaurants are offering free meals for veterans who show proof of military service.