MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Minnesota servicemen and women who have served in the military since 9/11 will be honored Saturday with a Heroes Parade along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

The parade is part of a bigger Heroes Weekend to allow citizens to show appreciation for the veterans service and sacrifice. Minneapolis will become one of just a few cities in the United States to hold such an event, which is being planned by a diverse group of citizens and veterans in partnership with the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV).

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Fifth Street and finish on Eleventh Street. It will feature a flyover of three T-6 Thunder vintage airplanes with trailing smoke. All elected officials are invited to participate in the parade and march together to Illustrate the theme of the parade, United in Thanks.

During the parade, there will be a Resources Plaza set up at the IDS Center's Crystal Court, where veterans can connect with over 15 supporting organizations. Toiletry donations can be dropped off there, to be distributed among Minnesota's homeless veterans.

"We are making a state-wide call to action, and we are proud to say that Governor Dayton has made an official proclamation making the weekend of the parade Heroes Weekend," said event coordinator Ericka Palmer. "We challenge individuals, groups of friends, families, organizations, churches, businesses, etc. to do something for veterans that weekend."

 

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