Monday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day and residents of Oakdale will have the opportunity to enjoy a parade, ceremony and a free meal for all.

Entries are currently being sought for the parade, which will line up at the FES Hall on North Lee Avenue at 9 a.m. that Monday morning.

“The parade will start at 10 a.m. and leave from the FES Hall and go south on Lee, then turn right to go west on Pontiac to Fish Park,” explained Oakdale Mayor Cher Bairos, one of the event organizers. For information about getting involved in the parade, contact Bairos at 209-496-1134.

At Fish Park, the ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.; there will be some guest speakers, the presentation of the colors by local Boy Scouts, along with a flag retirement ceremony.

Serving as emcee will be Patrick Mondragon and Jason Dillon, a local veteran and businessman, will be offering some remarks.

“We are looking forward to another great event this year, honoring our veterans with some of the same time-honored traditions and a few new twists,” Bairos explained. “We are proud this year to have the support of the Army National Guard by participating in our parade with some special military tactical vehicles, and are honored to have as our guest speaker someone who is not only a veteran but very active in our community.”

Bairos, Mondragon, Dillon’s Infinite Athletics Cheer and Tumbling, and Lisa Lucero Ballard are working cooperatively putting the special program together. This is the seventh annual local ceremony, Bairos said.

Following the program at Fish Park, all are welcome to stay and eat together.

“Through generous donations, we will once again have food for all attendees,” Bairos said. “Come one, come all for a great event.”