An 18-year member of the Escalon American Legion Post will be front and center on Monday, Nov. 11, as Don Forest is honored as the Grand Marshal in Escalon’s Veterans Day parade.

Forest has been a resident of the area for about 34 years.

“I spent 10 years in the Navy, active duty, and then 10 years in the Air Force Reserve,” Forest said.

During his service with the Navy, he was stationed in both Florida and California, along with going to Japan twice, including serving at Okinawa. His Navy service was from 1969 to 1979; he was in the Air Force Reserve from 1980 to 1990, traveling to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield on a regular basis.

He has been a member of the Escalon American Legion Gustafson-Thompson Post 263 for about 18 years and currently serves as part of the Colorguard and Honor Guard units.

“I also served three years as commander so I am a past commander,” Forest said.

He worked for many years for Hershey and is looking forward to riding in a ’57 Chevy with some family members during the Monday morning parade.

“I usually lead all the parades,” Forest said, chuckling, noting that someone else will have to take his place in the Colorguard since he will be waving from the Chevy.

The downtown parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11as the community observes Veterans Day, leaving from Coley and following the traditional route on to First and then turning on to Main Street.

After the parade, all are encouraged to adjourn to the Community Center, where an 11:30 a.m. ceremony is scheduled at the Memorial Wall, featuring music, guest speakers and recognition for local veterans, honored for their service and sacrifice.

A barbecue lunch will be available from noon to 3 p.m.; diners can eat in at the Community Center or choose to take their meal home. The meal features a barbecued half chicken, salad, beans and a bread roll; to-go orders must be picked up by 2 p.m.

Lunch tickets are $15 and will be available at the door or contact Legion member Fallon Nunes at 209-484-3641.

Also on Monday, continuing a longstanding tradition, Tony Victorino will host veterans at his Hula’s Restaurant intown, providing a free meal on Nov. 11 for all veterans, whether retired, reserves or active duty.

Last year, Victorino said “Hula’s was honored to serve and donate 95 meals” for veterans, stopping by to eat at the local restaurant. In many cases, he said, the veterans also receive handshakes from other diners while eating, being thanked for their service.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday so banks, schools, federal, state and local offices are closed, there is no mail delivery that day and many other businesses are closed.