The annual East Valley Veterans Parade, presented by EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. in downtown Mesa. The parade will feature nearly 100 entries and start at the intersection of Center Street and University Drive, proceeding south on Center Street before turning west onto First Street and ending at Robson. Additional details about the event can be found at evvp.org.
This year’s theme is “Ready Then, Ready Now,” which highlights 250 years of readiness and resilience of America’s Armed Forces.
Retired Marine Corporal Bob Brutinel has been named as the grand marshal for the 2025 parade. Brutinel, now 101 years old, left high school at age 18 to join the Marines during World War II and served in the South Pacific Theater. He participated in the first wave at Iwo Jima, carrying a flamethrower and C2 explosives that allowed fellow Marines to advance through intense fighting. During the battle, he was wounded by a sniper’s bullet that grazed his nose. For his bravery, Brutinel received both the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Mesa’s Veterans Day commemorative activities will begin with a recognition ceremony at 10:30 a.m., including remarks from Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman.
Several street closures are planned for parade staging and along the route beginning as early as 6 a.m., affecting intersections along Center Street north of University Drive as well as portions of First Street, Robson, Macdonald, Morris, and others. Detours will be available via Main Street, Mesa Drive, Country Club Drive, and Brown Road. Streets are expected to reopen by 2 p.m., with University Drive reopening around 12:30 p.m.
City offices in Mesa will be closed on Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day; however, trash and recycling services will operate on their normal schedule with residents asked to have containers out by 6 a.m. The Mesa Arts Center and all branches of Mesa Public Library will also be closed that day along with several recreation centers; Dobson Ranch Golf Course will remain open.
Public transportation options such as local bus and light rail routes will run regular weekday schedules except for Express and RAPID commuter buses which will not operate on Nov. 11. Some routes including Route 30 (University Drive), Route 112 (Country Club), Route 120 (Mesa Drive), and Downtown BUZZ will be detoured until approximately 2 p.m.; updates are available via Valley Metro’s website (https://www.valleymetro.org/rider-alerts).
Veterans Day observances also include free admission for veterans, active military members, and their families at both the Arizona Museum of Natural History and idea Museum on Nov. 11.
Another event is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9: The Royal Air Force Cadet Memorial Service at Mesa Cemetery honors British cadets and an American pilot who died during Falcon Field’s time as a training facility in World War II—a tradition held annually in Mesa for over three decades.
The City of Mesa is participating in nationwide celebrations marking America’s upcoming semiquincentennial anniversary through events like this parade leading up to July Fourth festivities in 2026; more information is available at mesaaz.gov/america250.
