Area veterans will once again get to mark Memorial Day andcontinue the celebration of the city’s Military Memorial Museum bymarching through the streets of downtown Brookhaven for the annualveterans parade.

This year’s parade is set for Saturday, May 29, starting at 10a.m. at the museum housed inside the old railroad depot. The walkis expected to draw veterans from all over the state, organizerssaid.

Chad Smith, event organizer and military museum volunteer, saidif last year is any indication about turnout, he is anticipatinghundreds will take part.

“We had a little over 300 veterans who participated in lastyear’s parade,” Smith said.

Many of the veterans will walk alongside or ride in vintagemilitary vehicles, and other vehicles will be on display at themuseum that day, Smith said.

Lineup for military vehicles will be at 8:30 a.m., and anyveteran who wishes to ride in the parade should be at the depot nolater than 9:15 a.m., Smith said.

According to Smith, the parade will more than likely travel thesame route as last year — beginning at the museum, turning righton Cherokee Street, rounding Jackson Street, heading back upMonticello Street and stopping briefly on First Street at theVeterans Memorial for a memorial service before heading toWhitworth and back to the museum.

In addition to the parade, the museum will be open all day forvisitors to browse the exhibits and view local soldiers’memorabilia from past wars.

More detailed planning for the event is still in the preliminarystages, said Smith, but organizers do hope to have several speakersfor the event.

“We’re still working on that,” said Smith.

The parade committee is encouraging all residents to support theveterans by coming out for the parade and visiting the museum.

“There’s a lot of history here,” said Smith. “Another 10 yearsand places like this will disappear. I’m glad we have it to showour history.”

There is no charge for admission to the museum, which is open onTuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. However, donations to cover thecost of storage and display cases and other items are welcome,Smith said.