First, I invite and encourage everyone to go downtown and watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow. As is traditional, a color guard will lead the parade. The rest of the VFW Post 7507 entry will immediately follow.

But this year it will be a special treat with the American Legion Post 58’s award-winning color guard instead of the VFW’s color guard. The American Legion Post 58’s color guard recently won recognition as the Best Color Guard in a national competition. VFW Post 7507 congratulates them and invited them to lead us all.

When you see the color guard pass, please rise and stand at attention, hand over the heart or salute as appropriate. I am confident a cheer or clap of support would be appreciated by these dedicated veterans.

Another special treat this year will be a replica float of the battleship USS Arizona BB 39 as a part of the VFW entry. This 40-foot float is a sight to behold. Accompanying the battleship replica float will be members of the East Valley Young Marines. Following behind the VFW entry will be many other great entries. It is a great family affair. I hope everyone who can, will attend.

On a second note, I would like to thank everyone who attended the VFW beer garden during the Fountain Festival, especially the band members and other volunteers who made the garden possible to operate, and also the many customers who bought food and drink or other items.

And thirdly, a thank you to all the golfers and sponsors and to all those who donated to last weekend’s Ralph Truax Memorial VFW Golf Tournament. Thanks for supporting veterans’ charities and causes.

Fourthly and finally, I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and a merry Christmas or happy Hanukkah.