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More than 1,000 veterans from around the state are expected to march through Richmond Nov. 6 in the first-ever statewide Veterans Day parade.

"This involves the whole state, not just the local communities," said Peter Whitaker, chair of the executive parade committee and scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 645 in Huntington. "As far as we know, it's the first statewide parade attempted in the nation."

The parade began two years ago as a local event by the scout troop. This year, with the sponsorship of the Green Mountain Concil of Boy Scouts of America, it's made a giant leap to encompass the entire state.

Besides the Vermont Vets, veterans from all the New England states and New York; 2,000 Vermont Boy Scouts and their leaders, plus a guest Boy Scout from Ontario; and 200 to 400 Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactors will march.

Representatives from all branches of military service and a battalion of National Guard and their equipment, featuring the Tenth Mountain Division, will join in the parade.

Lt. Gov. Doug Racine will be master of ceremonies. A new war memorial plaque dedicated to the veterans of all wars is being forged and will be displayed at the program.

Citizens can help in the effort by purchasing American Flags for the Village of Richmond's 65 telephone poles. Each flag costs $25 and with its purchase, will be dedicated to a family member who served in the military. Those names will go on a permanent plaque in the Richmond Free Library. Order forms for the flags are available in Richmond and Huntington stores.

The village will close to traffic during the parade. Satellite parking lots will be setup in farm fields outside the village and buses will bring parade viewers into town.

Portable toilets and warming tents will be set up, and every effort will be made to accomodate people with handicaps, Whitaker said.

He said he expects the event to be televised nationally. "The whole town is mobilizing," he said. "This is larger than anything it's ever attemped to do before."

(parade details for Hanaford's Volunteers)