The streets of Natchez will come alive with patriotism on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, with a parade through downtown.

Grand Marshall is retired Air Force Major Gen. Robert W. Burns, former commander of the 351st Bomb Group, which fought in World War II. The Bomb Group was a division of the 8th Air Force, whose Mississippi chapter is sponsoring the parade as part of a weekend of 8th Air Force activities.

Many Louisiana veterans also will participate in the weekend programs.

&uot;This promises to be a wonderful tribute not just to 8th Air Force veterans, but all men and women who served — and are still serving — in uniform for our country,&uot; said Homer King of Natchez, an 8th Air Force veteran who is helping to coordinate the activities and parade.

&uot;We invite everyone in the Miss-Lou to be in Natchez and help us salute our veterans,&uot; King said. &uot;It indeed is an honor to have General Burns with us on this special day.&uot;

During the parade, Burns will offer a short address at Memorial Park, the site of the Armed Forces Memorial.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Broadway Street and will proceed to Main and Union streets.

&uot;We have assembled an excellent group of military units as well as some specialty units,&uot; King said. &uot;Of course, we plan several bands, including the popular Natchez High School Band.&uot;

Of special interest, King said, will be the realistic model of a B-17 Bomber — the plane flown by the 8th Air Force — made by Phil McGuire, who will transport the model along the parade route. McGuire, of Macon is an 8th Air Force veteran.

&uot;His model was crafted out of honor and respect for all the missions the B-17 flew during our assignment in England,&uot; King said.

The 8th Air Force was responsible for thousands of bombing raids over Germany.

In addition, the parade will include 8th Air Force veterans and their wives, antique cars, vintage World War II vehicles, Army, Navy and Marine Corps veterans, and other units.

Other activities planned for the weekend include:

4Friday, Nov. 10: Free public display of thousands of World War II photographs, artifacts and memorabilia collected by Harry &uot;Doug&uot; Tanner, of Sulphur, La. The display will be from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ramada Inn Hilltop.

4Saturday, Nov. 11: Free public review by Margaret Gratz of the book, &uot;Mississippians in the Mighty Eighth,&uot; from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ramada Inn Hilltop on John R. Junkin Drive. Veterans will be on hand to autograph copies of the book, which will be on sale to the public.

4Sunday, Nov. 12: Memorial procession through Natchez City Cemetery beginning at 8 a.m. with stops at gravesites of 8th Air Force veterans, including grave of Sam Junkin, of Natchez, first pilot to shoot down an enemy plane in World War II. A memorial services will conclude the cemetery program.

For more information, contact King at 445-4178.