Stealth Fighter to Add to Veterans Parade Excitement
The 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th year approaches, and so does the 11th Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade on Palm Canyon Drive.
And this year, a flyover of the F-117 Stealth fighter is one of the visual highlights, not that there aren't plenty of visual highlights. In the air, the F-117 will be joined by other military aircraft, and on the ground will be a race car that pays tribute to the loss of every single U.S. Marine killed in the conflict in the Middle East. The Fueled by the Fallen Marines Memorial Race Car bears the name and rank of every Marine who lost his life fighting in Iraq. The car will be on display in front of the American Legion at 400 North Belardo, one block west of Palm Canyon.
The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center will hold its annual Toys for Tots drive, now in its 60th year, in conjunction with the parade. Collection boxes will be conveniently located at different intervals, including in front of the Main Stage at Amado and Palm Canyon Drive, in front of Wellwood Murray Library at Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive, the Village Green, in front of the Alley Gift Store, and in front of Hair of the Dog Saloon, and at the parade's end.
The parade, expected to draw 20,000 to downtown Palm Springs, officially steps off at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. As usual the Marine Corps Band from the 29 Palms Air-Ground Combat Center will perform a patriotic post-parade concert.
It's all free, of course, and it's one of the very best Veterans Day events in Southern California.