WARREN - The 2012 Trumbull County Veterans Day celebration will look different than ones in years past.
Usually held on Veterans Day, this year's ceremonies and parade will take place today. The official observation falls Sunday, and government offices recognize the holiday Monday.
The activities will start at 10 a.m. today with a performance by the 338th U.S. Army Reserve Band at First Presbyterian Church on 256 Mahoning Ave. N.W., followed immediately by the traditional 11 a.m. ceremony.
Article Photos
Tribune Chronicle / Bob Coupland
Tribune Chronicle writer Ashley Newman, left, and copy editor Guy Vogrin check a float for today’s Veterans Day parade. The float holds a large replica of a new book published by the Tribune Chronicle that contains profiles of more than 200 Trumbull County military veterans.
''The reason we moved the ceremony indoors this year was to make it more comfortable for the veterans who we are honoring,'' Tribune Chronicle events coordinator Sue Shafer said. ''It also protects the band in case there is an issue with the weather.''
The forecast, however, is for sunny skies and a high of 67 degrees.
Parade participants will line up in Perkins Park, with the procession starting on the corner of West Market Street and Mahoning Avenue. Attendees are encouraged to line up in the downtown area. The 338th band will march in the parade along with dozens of units.
Fact Box
2012 Veterans Day
celebration and parade
10 a.m. today - A performance by the 338th U.S. Army Reserve Band in First Presbyterian Church on Mahoning Avenue in downtown Warren
11 a.m. - A traditional Veterans Day ceremony in the church
12:15 p.m. - The annual Trumbull County Veterans Day Parade starting on the corner of West Market Street and Mahoning Avenue
Unchanged is what has become a centerpiece since the Tribune began sponsoring the parade in 2003 - 15 Trumbull County veterans that the newspaper featured on Mondays since Memorial Day will participate.
''The Tribune Chronicle has a deep love and respect for veterans, which is evidenced by the weekly features and by our concerted effort to bring the Trumbull County Veterans Memorial to life,'' Shafer explained. ''I have a deep love and admiration for their service and sacrifice.''
New for this year's celebration will be judging of the best nonprofit, best local business, best veterans group, best veterans auxiliary group, best club, best community service organization and best youth group in the parade. There will be a grand prize awarded.
Another highlight this year is the introduction of ''Valor and Sacrifice,'' a book of more than 200 veteran profile stories written by Tribune Chronicle staff between 2003 and 2011 in a complete, hardcover volume.
The 424-page, full-color book offers a collection of personal experiences based on 217 interviews with Trumbull County veterans. It includes photos taken by Tribune journalists and pictures from the veterans' service eras.
''This is another part of our 200th anniversary to honor veterans,'' Shafer said.
Throughout 2012 The Tribune Chronicle celebrated its 200th year of publishing a newspaper in Trumbull County.