Metro-east Veterans Day events to honor those who have served the United States

The Veterans Day holiday is on Tuesday and the public is invited to metro-east ceremonies and parades events to honor the men and women who have served in the American military branches.

Belleville’s 27th annual Veterans Day Ceremony — 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Honorary Veterans Memorial Square in downtown Belleville. VFW State Commander Eugene Blackwell will be the guest speaker. Joseph Ellison, assistant fire chief for Belleville, will be the emcee.

Clinton County Veterans Day Celebration — Tuesday, Nov. 11. Church service at 10 a.m. at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden. Noon dinner for $15 at the New Baden American Legion Post 321. Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Robert M. Dandridge will be the guest speaker at 1:30 p.m. Parade through New Baden begins at 3 p.m..

Collinsville’s annual Veterans Day Parade — 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. The parade will be on Main Street. It will start at North Hesperian and travel to South Center. Immediately following the parade, there will be a ceremony at American Legion Post 365 at 1022 Vandalia St.

Columbia Veterans Day Program — 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. American Legion, 374 E. Locust St. The program will feature a presentation on the 30th anniversary of the commissioning of the USS Columbia submarine.

Edwardsville Veterans Day Parade — 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. American Legion Post 199 with an assist from the Metro East Community Rotary Club will host the Veterans Day Parade through the streets of downtown Edwardsville. The parade will begin in the 900 block of North Main Street, travel south on Main Street and then go west on Vandalia/St. Louis Street. It shifts south onto West Street, ending at Lincoln Middle School.

O’Fallon’s annual Veterans Day Observance and Parade — Tuesday, Nov. 11. The observance will begin at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 1111 E. Highway 50. U.S. Air Force Major General Charles D. Bolton, commander, 18th Air Force, AMC from Scott Air Force Base will be the guest speaker. The Veterans Day Parade will be hosted by VFW Post 805 at 2 p.m. The parade route will proceed west on East Third Street, north on South Lincoln Avenue and west on West First Street and end at VFW Post 805.

Waterloo Veterans Day Program — 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 at the Waterloo High School auditorium. Hosted by the city of Waterloo.