One-hundred-and-one-year-old Don Mellor is proud to have served his country during World War II. A lifelong Cranston resident who grew up on Essex Street, Mellor will serve as the grand marshal in the city’s upcoming Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.

Mellor enlisted in the Navy at age 20, trained at the Naval Academy in Newport and was eventually stationed in the South Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Hopewell where he worked as a fire control man. On Feb. 14, 1944, ground fire hit the ship off of Corregidor in the Philippines and several of Mellor’s shipmates did not survive the attack. Following the end of the war, Mellor remained in the South Pacific and was stationed in Okinawa on patrol.

Mellor met some of his closest friends during his three years in the service and, for a long time after his return to the states, would get together with them. Mellor said there were some things you’d want to forget from the war, but other memories you didn’t want to forget. His late-wife of 76 years, Helen, also enlisted in the service and was a proud member of the U.S. Coast Guard and state stateside during the war. He and Helen married upon his return to Cranston and had six children. Mellor – who loves parades and remembers taking his youngest child to the ones in Knightsville – said he is honored to be selected as the grand marshal for this year’s event. Several years ago, he and Helen rode in an open convertible together in the Federal Hill parade.

Tom, one of Mellor’s children, said he is proud of his dad and said it’s wonderful that the city is once again putting on this parade to recognize veterans.  He mentioned the Honor Flight he accompanied his father on several years ago to Washington D.C. where his father met other veterans who were stationed in Europe, South Pacific and Vietnam; together they saw the monuments.

Cranston rebooted its Veterans Day Parade last year for the first time in 20 years. Deputy Chief of Staff Paul McAuley helped with the initiative and said the city was looking to set time aside to honor those who sacrificed their lives. Constituent Affairs Director Gina Capuano, who is assisting McAuley in this year’s planning, added that the parade was a long overdue appreciation. McAuley’s focus this year is increasing veteran participation in the parade.

The parade steps off in front of Legion Bowl on Park Avenue at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 and continues past City Hall, up Hayward Street and down Rolfe Street. A 15-minute ceremony at the Cannon Memorial will immediately follow the parade.

McAuley said the Cranston Police Honor Guard will lead the parade followed by Mellor riding along in a car. The mayor, former mayors, council members, state senators and state representatives, and school committee members will all follow. The Cranston High School East and West bands and cheerleaders will make an appearance as well as the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, St. Mary’s School Children and Special Olympics team, antique fire trucks, military vehicles and more. McAuley said Cranston East and West students involved with Special Olympics will carry the flags, and veterans who are not able to walk can ride in one of the antique cars.

McAuley said elementary school children are invited to walk in the parade -- parents can walk with their children if they would like and should show up at the parade’s start line at 11 a.m. The Fire Department and EMS will end the parade.

The following ceremony will include a welcome address from former Mayor Michael Traficante – acknowledging the elected officials, former mayors and special guests. Father Joseph Craddock of Pawtucket’s Holy Name Parish will provide the invocation, followed by Marissa DiBiase singing the “Star Spangled Banner.” After an address from Mayor Ken Hopkins, the laying of the wreath in honor of veterans will take place. The Cranston Police Department will fire volley shots with two high school students playing Taps. The event will finish with DiBiase singing “God Bless America.”

McAuley said the best spot to view the parade is by the cannon memorial. Parking available behind City Hall, and individuals are advised to arrive early since the parade route’s streets will be blocked off.

McAuley said Paul Cataldo has been a huge help in getting vehicles and veterans for the parade and thanked Cranston’s police, fire, traffic engineer and building maintenance for their help so far.

Any organizations that would like to participate in the parade can call McAuley at 401-380-3177 or Capuano at 401-780-3123. Veterans who would like to walk in the parade should get to the start at 11 a.m. and the city will make sure they have a spot in the parade.