Westport will hold a rolling parade of veterans followed by a brief ceremony at Beech Grove Cemetery on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the town’s Office of Veterans’ Services announced Thursday. The event replaces the usual parade and larger ceremony at Beech Grove Cemetery due to COVID-19 restrictions on large social gatherings.

All Westport area veterans are invited to decorate their vehicle and take part in this parade from the Council on Aging (COA), 75 Reed Road, to Beech Grove Cemetery, 974 Main Road, by way of Reed Road, Old County Road, and Main Road. The parade will start at 9 am. Participants should plan to arrive at the COA no later than 8:45 am.

As Veterans' Day is to honor all those who have served in the US Armed Forces, The COA requires that each vehicle carry at least one veteran, but family members are welcome to ride with the veteran. Veteran participants will be given a small American flag as a token of gratitude for their service.

The Council on Aging will have vehicles available for veterans who do not have transportation or who prefer not to drive in the parade. Contact Carol Freitas, veterans' service officer, if you would like to ride on one of the COA vans.

In order to have an approximate count of vehicles, registration is required by Friday, Nov. 6, and can be done through Ms. Freitas. Registration can be done via phone (508-636-1028), email (freitasc@westport-ma.gov), or by completing the registration form on the town website and returning it via the contact information listed on the form.

The town asks that only residents who live on the parade route line the roads to avoid large crowds. Please maintain social distancing and wear masks.