RUMFORD – A patriotic rally will be among the events scheduled for the annual Veterans Day ceremony set for 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at Muskie Auditorium at Mountain Valley High School.

Albert “Red” Paul, a World War II veteran, said music and speeches regularly scheduled at the traditional event will focus on support for American troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Featured speaker is Pattie Paul Odencrantz, a registered nurse who accompanied about 100 local veterans and spouses to the dedication of the World War II monument in Washington D.C. last Memorial Day. The title of her speech is, “A Modern Day History Lesson.”

She grew up in Rumford and graduated from Stephens High School. She now lives in Winslow.

Master of ceremonies is former state Sen. Norman Ferguson Jr. Patriotic music will be provided by the Rumford Association for the Advancement of the Arts Chorus, and the Mountain Valley High School band and chorus.

Thursday’s ceremony takes the place of the traditional parade, which was eliminated several years ago because of the high number of aging veterans who generally take part.

Veterans of all wars are encouraged to meet outside the auditorium, where they will line up to march into the hall.

A special Veterans Day church service took place Sunday, Nov. 7, at St. Athanasius and St. John Church, where more than 300 veterans attended, said George Jenkins, commander of the the Rumford Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.

The local VFW sponsors the annual Veterans Day ceremony, while the Rumford American Legion post sponsors the annual Memorial Day parade and ceremonies.