4 cool things veterans can do this weekend in Tucson

Veterans Day parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday in downtown Tucson

Tucson’s Veterans Day parade will be held downtown late Saturday morning.

The 98th annual parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. at West Alameda Street and North Granada Avenue. Its route generally goes east to North Stone Avenue, then onto West Franklin Street. It continues on North Church Avenue to West Sixth Street, then returns to West Alameda Street, according to a news release.

Adolfo “Harpo” Celaya, one of the survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, is this year’s grand marshal. Celaya survived the July 1945 sinking of the ship by clinging to a raft for five days, the release said.

Several roads in the area will be closed beginning Saturday morning.

Pedestrians and bicyclists will have access to the parade area during the road closures.

Parking lots and garages in the area are expected to be open.

Go to tucsonveteransdayparade.org for more information.

Veterans Day weekend: Visit Arizona parks and forests for free

Good news, outdoor lovers. You can explore most outdoor areas in Arizona for free this weekend.

In honor of Veterans Day, the National Park Service is offering free entrance to all national parks.

You'll be able to get free entry to both national parks and any national forests that charge day-use fees on Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12.

It's the last fee free day the National Park Service is offering in 2017.

In addition to national parks, there are multiple monuments and recreational areas in Arizona that are also waiving fees this weekend.

List of Arizona's national parks and monuments that are free this weekend:

• Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Montezuma Castle National Monument
• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
• Petrified Forest National Park
• Pipe Spring National Monument
• Saguaro National Park
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
• Tonto National Monument
• Tumacácori National Historical Park
• Tuzigoot National Monument
• Walnut Canyon National Monument
• Wupatki National Monument

Get discounted, free food

In honor of Veterans Day this weekend, dozens of restaurants are offering free and discounted meals for active military members and veterans. Most eateries just require a military ID as proof.

Here's the full list: 23 places veterans can get free, discounted food this weekend in Tucson

Read inspiring stories of veterans

The experiences and legacies of our veterans are at risk of fading away and being forgotten forever unless a conscious effort is made to document and tell their stories.

To honor veterans on the anniversary of the end of World War I, read the stories of inspiring veterans and active military members in the Tucson area.

Here are some great reads:

Check out these 50 personal stories and photos of Tucson veterans.

Inspiring stories that includes a high school that spends their lunchtime honoring veterans, a 94-year-old veteran who continues to serve her county by serving those at the VA, and more.