The Whaling City will be honoring local veterans with the New Bedford Veterans Day Parade and Observance service on Friday.

Robert Bromley, the Chairman of the City of New Bedford's Veterans Advisory Board, told WBSM News the parade will include marching bands such as the award-winning New Bedford High School Whaling Marching Band, Dartmouth Middle and High School Bands, Banda Filarmónica de Senhor da Pedra, Bay State Band and the Highland Pipe Band.

There will also be classic cars and other marchers including Scout groups, civic organizations, and local veterans who are being invited to show up and take part.

"We're trying to get people to honor all the veterans, and one way of doing it, if the veteran doesn't particularly belong to an organization, they should still participate in the parade to show they are a veteran and beyond," said Bromley.

New Bedford Police Officer and retired U.S.Army veteran Dean Lawrence will serve as the Grand Marshal of the parade that will kick off at 11 a.m. and will march East on Union St. to Pleasant St., then turn left onto Pleasant St. to the reviewing stand located in front of the New Bedford Main Library where Lawrence will deliver the keynote address.

Those participating in the parade are asked to show up at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Rockdale Ave. and Union St.

Bromley is asking those in attendance to bring items that display support for those who served.

"We would encourage veterans who are not participating in the parade to wear their medals and for people to have their flag and other patriotic symbols to wave and thank our veterans," said Bromley.

While Memorial Day is an observance that honors those who gave their lives in service to the country, Bromley says Veterans Day serves as a way to express gratitude to veterans who are still with us.

"Veterans Day is more of a celebration," said Bromley "we get out to honor, to say thank you, to those who put on a uniform and go out there every single day."

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420