In an effort to say thank you to the men and women who have fought for the United States, a Veterans Day parade is being planned this year in St. Cloud.

The parade will be at 3 p.m. Nov. 11 and will go through the St. Cloud VA Medical Center’s grounds and end at Apollo High School. An informal reception will follow at the school, where residents and veterans can mingle over refreshments.

Parade organizer Mike McDonald said he hopes there will be a strong showing of veterans at the event. McDonald, who is a Vietnam War veteran, says the event is important to him because it gives the community a chance to show its thanks.

Central Minnesotans were among the 2,600 Minnesota National Guard soldiers who returned in July after 16 months in Iraq and almost two years of deployment. Other troops from the area continue to serve there.

Residents are asked to line the parade route and pay tribute to those marching. Organizers are still looking for parade floats, and Bill Albrecht asks that they use themes honoring veterans.

Albrecht is publisher of the St. Cloud Times, which is one of the parade sponsors.

“We’re not looking for 100 floats,” Albrecht said. “We’re looking for something that is very respectful and meaningful.”

Metrovets is the event’s official sponsor. Major sponsors are the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, city of St. Cloud and the Times.

Other sponsors are Regent Broadcasting, Leighton Broadcasting and Bernick’s.

Anyone wanting more information or to participate should contact McDonald at 363-4173 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .