When the festivities begin this year at the East County Veterans Day Parade in downtown Antioch, the guests of honor – and grand marshals of the event – will have a view of the parade like no other – high above the procession aboard a restored Vietnam-era Huey assault helicopter.

Officials are spreading the word so locals won’t be surprised by the low-flying craft, although the chopper is just one of the day’s many highlights. There will be more than 30 entries in the parade, including civilian and military vehicles, the Antioch and Deer Valley high school marching bands, veteran motorcycle groups, current and antique military vehicles and community organizations. The Blue Star Singers (all women veterans) will perform as well.

The second annual event will boast three grand marshals, including Bataan Death March survivor Vincent Silva, 91; Richard Lundin, 72, a major general in the Northern California Army Reserve who served in three wars and under 11 presidents; and World War II veteran Leo Fontana.

“I think it’s important that we honor all of the wars and those who have given their lives for us to enjoy the freedoms that we do,” said Antioch Mayor Jim Davis. “We are expecting this year to be bigger and better. If it’s anything like last year, we are expecting a tremendous turnout.”

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Antioch Lumber Company on Second Street and end with a special wreath-laying ceremony at the marina. A free barbecue will follow at the VFW Hall, 815 Fulton Shipyard Road.

To participate in the parade, or for additional information on the event, call Jim and Susan Davis at 925-757-2020 or e-mail jd4antioch@aol.com. Applications for the parade may be downloaded at www.art4antioch.org.