Vicksburg will observe Veterans Day over two days, beginning with the annual 11 a.m. memorial service at the Memorial Rose Garden Sunday and followed by the city’s Veterans Day Parade Monday.

The service marks the 100th anniversary of Germany’s surrender marking the end of World War I.

“The reason we’re holding the service Sunday is because the importance of Veteran Day is the time the war actually ended, which was the 11th month, the 11th day and the 11th hour,” Veterans Day observance chairman Willie Glasper said.

He said Michelle Stewart, a retired U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant and commander of American Legion Tyner Ford Post 213, will be the featured speaker for the memorial service. Lunch will follow at 12:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 3 on Monroe Street and is free for veterans.

The parade Monday, Glasper said, will form on Belmont Street at 9 a.m. and start down Washington Street at 10 a.m.

In a related matter, about 100 AmeriCorps volunteers will be working in the National Cemetery at the Vicksburg National Military Park Saturday, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive day use fees at its recreation areas nationwide Nov. 11 and 12 in observance of Veterans Day.

The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches.

“This Veterans Day we will continue the valued tradition of honoring our veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families with an invitation to visit one of the thousands of USACE recreation sites throughout the country, free of charge,” said Maj. Gen. Scott Spellmon, USACE deputy commanding general for civil and emergency operations. “This year we extend this invitation of a fee waiver on Nov. 11 and 12 to all visitors.”