Veterans Day events in metro Phoenix

Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, starting at Central and Montebello avenues, is Nov. 11. Photo facebook.com/PhxVetsDayParade

City of Phoenix Veterans Day Parade (Fri Nov 11). The 20th annual parade theme is “Welcome Home Vietnam Heroes.” The parade will honor the nation’s veterans with bands, floats, military vehicles and color guards. Parade starts at 11am. Free. Route runs southbound from Montebello and Central avenues, turns west onto Camelback Road, then south onto Seventh Street to Indian School Road. 602-277-5551 or phoenixveteransdayparade.org.

East Valley Veterans Parade (Fri Nov 11). Marching bands, flyovers by historical military aircraft, military vehicles, WWII tanks and the Fallen Soldier Memorial. Parade begins at 11am. Free. Starts on Center Street at Sixth Place and travels south on Center Street to First Avenue in Mesa. 480-684-2324 or evvp.org.

Tempe’s Veterans Day Parade (Fri Nov 11). Celebrates the effort and contributions by military personnel. 9am-2pm. Free. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W Rio Salado Pkwy. 480-968-0634 or tempe.gov.

Veterans Day at the Original Breakfast House (Fri Nov 11). Veterans and active duty military members eat free from a selected menu or receive $10 off menu item prices. Must show military ID. 6:30am-2pm. Free. The Original Breakfast House, 13623 N 32nd St, Phoenix. 602-482-2328 or obhphx.com.

Veterans Day Fitness Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast (Fri Nov 11). Honor veterans and their families with a fun run and breakfast. 8-10am. Free. Avondale City Hall, 11465 W Civic Center Dr. 602-418-5771 or estrellamountain.edu/vetfunrun.

Veterans Day Gourd Dance (Fri Nov 11). This event honors the memory of the men and women who have served our nation. Bring your favorite potluck dish to share during the break between dances. 11am-4pm. Free. Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St, Phoenix. 602-495-0901 or pueblogrande.com.

Veterans Day Special (Fri Nov 11). All veterans or active military personnel are invited to jump and play for free at AZ Air Time on Veterans Day. Family members of veterans or active duty members get a $2 discount. 10am-11pm. Admission is $8/1st hour for ages 6 and under; $13/1st hour for ages 7 and older. AZ Air Time, 13802 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale. 480-427-2000 or azairtime.com.

ASU Veterans Day Pow Wow (Sat Nov 12). All ages. Native American dancers, drum groups, food and vendors. 11am-10pm. Free. ASU West campus, 4701 W Thunderbird Rd, Phoenix. 602-543-5300 or outreach.asu.edu/west/pow-wow.

Gathering of Legends (Sat Nov 12). All ages. Military aviation veterans will share their experiences, flyovers and visiting aircraft on display. Call for times. $15; $5 ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and younger. Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force Museum, 2017 N Greenfield Rd, Mesa. 480-924-1940 or azcaf.org.

Voices of Valor (Thur Nov 17). The Phoenix Boys Choir celebrates our heroes and gives thanks with song. 6pm. Free. Steele Indian School Park Memorial Hall, 300 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix. 602-264-5328 or phoenixboyschoir.org.

“Got 10 minutes for a vet?”

As we celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11, do you ever wonder what you can do personally to honor those who serve? Vets Community Connections is a new nonprofit that helps military families reintegrate into their communities. Veterans are matched with individual volunteers who can answer questions about settling into a new community — questions such as how to find a local sports league or a pediatrician. Most volunteers will only spend 10 minutes or so on the phone with a vet or his/her spouse, yet it’s a personal and concrete way to help military families. Details: vetscommunityconnections.org.