Here's what you need to know about Springfield's Veterans Day parade

Nov. 10—For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Springfield will have a Veterans Day parade.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at 11th Street and Capitol Avenue and proceed west on Capitol to the state Capitol. A program and a free lunch for veterans will be held after the parade at Veterans of Foreign Wars Northenders Post 10302, 2349 Stockyard Road.

Sam Montalbano, a Korean War veteran who helped resurrect the Veterans Day parade in recent years, will serve as the grand marshal and will be the keynote speaker.

According to the National Weather Service, rain is likely in the early morning but there's only a 20% chance of rain at 10 a.m. when the parade is scheduled to begin. Temperatures are projected to be in the low- to mid-50s.

There are 20 units taking part in the parade so far, said organizer Phil Brown, commander with the Interveterans Council of Sangamon County.

That includes marching bands from all three of Springfield's public high schools —Lanphier, Southeast and Springfield — as well as floats and military vehicles, Brown said.

Brown, a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer, said he partnered with Crystal Womack, the senior programs manager at Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, and Bobby Edwards, a retired U.S. Army chief warrant officer, in putting Thursday's parade together.

"It is great to be back," Brown said. "I'm very glad to get the opportunity, to carry on Sam's legacy. The parade truly is his legacy."

Veterans Day is a federal holiday meaning all federal buildings and courts will be closed Thursday. All post offices will be closed and there will be no mail delivery.

State of Illinois, Sangamon County and city of Springfield workers will observe Thursday as a holiday. Springfield District 186 schools are closed.

University of Illinois Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College and Blackburn College will all be in session. There will be no classes at Midwest Technical Institute'sSpringfield campus.

Sangamon Mass Transit District buses will run regular schedules on Thursday.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

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