All area veterans are encouraged to attend a special rally at Escalon High School this Friday, Nov. 7, hosted by the Associated Student Body at the high school.

The rally itself will begin at 2:05 p.m. but the veterans are asked to come to the school a little earlier, around 1:45 p.m., so they can be greeted and seated prior to the start of the Assembly.

This has become an annual tradition at the high school, with the focus on thanking area veterans for their service and sacrifice and informing the student body about the impetus behind Veterans’ Day. Past years have also seen a special flag folding ceremony, with information given about the history of the flag and recollections offered by EHS teachers who have served or had family members serve in the military.

Meanwhile, the community will also observe Veterans’ Day with a full day of activities on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The Escalon American Legion Gustafson Thompson Post 263 and its American Legion Riders will oversee the events of the day.

The day will start with a downtown parade, which will step off at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11, lining up on Coley Avenue, proceeding to First Street and then turning on to Main Street. Following the parade, a brief memorial ceremony is hosted at the Veterans Wall adjacent to the Community Center along Escalon-Bellota Road, with a chicken barbecue then served inside the center.

Parade coordinator Vince Giovaniello said they also hope to have a flyover of historic aircraft between 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. that day, just prior to the start of the parade.

“Our veterans feel it is important to honor those still held as Prisoners of War or who are still missing from our ranks and honor the memory of those who gave their lives for our freedoms,” Giovaniello said. “During the parade, the American Legion Color Guard will show this honor at the flagpole on Main Street, near the caboose.”

There, the Color Guard will stop, as will the entire parade, for a moment of silence and the playing of Taps.

This year, Giovaniello added, the area’s World War II veterans are especially being honored, with more than half a dozen from Escalon expected to ride in the parade.

Tickets for the chicken barbecue will be available at the door at the completion of the parade and ceremonies. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Lunch is served from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Giovaniello at 209-869-6978 or 209-604-9100.