As part of the Veterans Week celebration, Clovis residents Gordon Lam and Rick Hidalgo will serve as grand marshals on Saturday’s Veterans Day Parade.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. on Main Street.

• Lam, 54, is the New Mexico Veterans of Foreign War state commander

Service background: Signed up for the Air Force in 1972 and served for 22 years.

Thoughts on Veterans Day: “It’s one of those days that created to honor veterans. A lot of the businesses in different states forget that. Some individuals get a day off but don’t fully understand the reason why it is a federal holiday. If it wasn’t for veterans we wouldn’t have the freedoms that we have today. Just like our elections on Tuesday, if it wasn’t for veterans, we’d pretty much be in a dictatorship we wouldn’t have that option.”

• Hidalgo, 49, is American Legion State Commander

Service background: Served in the Army from 1977 to 1981 and 1988 to 1992

Thoughts on Veterans Day: “Veteran’s day means a lot to me. I had two brothers that served in the Vietnam war and I just follow their footsteps. Basically it’s good to know that we have Americans that are proud to serve their country and to defend us and give us our freedom. Not very many people want to serve and go to war,  but the guys that are there now, it’s a great honor to have them there defending our country.”

The following events will be held locally to honor veterans:

Friday

Open House — 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., DAV No. 6, 220 W. Fourth Ave.

Open House — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., AMVETS, Post 14, 2003 W. Seventh Ave.

Saturday

Veterans Day parade — 10 a.m., 14th Ave. and Main St. Awards presentation will follow beginning at noon at VFW post 3280, 200 W. Grand.

Marine Corps Ball — 6 p.m., VFW, Post 3280. Information: 799-3091.

Military Appreciation dinner — 6 p.m., Faith Christian Family Church, 3401 Norris. Free for all active duty and retired military. Col. Timothy Leahy, 27th Special Operations Wing commander, will be guest speaker.

Tuesday

Veterans Day breakfast — 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. American Legion Post 25.

Clovis High School Veterans Day program — 8:25 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Lecture Hall. Program will feature different speakers. Information: 769-4350.

Blue Star Mother’s Highway Memorial ceremony — 2 p.m., U.S. Highway 60/70/84, mile marker 336. A portion of the highway will be renamed the “Blue Star Mother’s Highway” in on honor of their group.