American Legion Post 64 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5184 are joining together on Sunday, Nov. 9, to host two events to honor and celebrate all local veterans in light of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.

The American Legion Veterans Day parade will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 9, in downtown Russellville featuring the RHS Marching Hundred, the RHS JROTC, the UNA ROTC, several army vehicles, and the Cotton Flats Crusiers car club, who will be providing cars for all veterans to ride in.

A reception hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5184 will begin at 2:30 p.m. immediately following the parade at the A.W. Todd Centre for all veterans, their families and all community members. The reception will feature light refreshments and entertainment.

Bill Jackson, who serves as commander of VFW Post 5184, said they will also honor the police officer and firefighter of the year at the reception.

“This is our eighth year to hold a Veterans Day reception and it’s something I believe is important for not only the veterans and their families to be a part of but for the community to be a part of as well,” Jackson said.

“We are losing our veterans every day, and this is a great opportunity to socialize with them and talk to them. These veterans have a great deal of knowledge to pass on to the younger generations.”

Lt. Col. Grant Atkins, who retired with 30 years of service in the military and now serves as the commander of American Legion Post 64, said he hoped the members of the community would come out and show their support and respect at these events for the men and women who have done so much for America.

“It is only right for us to honor those who have made sacrifices to go and serve their country and make sure that we have the freedoms we have today,” Atkins said.

“We are blessed to have many veterans here in Franklin County and we hope they will all come out for Sunday’s events.”

Any veterans wishing to ride in the parade should be at the A.W. Todd Centre by 1:45 p.m. Sunday to load up in the military vehicles and vintage cars.

All veterans are welcome and encouraged to ride in the parade and attend the reception.