The Warwick Veterans Council will hold their annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday with almost 25 different groups ready to show off their pride and respect for those who serve our country.

The parade will start at approximately 9:15 a.m. with groups of Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, karate schools, classic cars, trucks, and more. There will also be representatives from the National Guard and various color guards.

“All the different veterans groups are helping out,” said Tony Rodrigues, one of the parade organizers. “It’s a combination of all the different groups.”

Following the parade’s conclusion, there will be a short speaking presentation at Veterans Memorial Park in front of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School. Rodrigues said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, Council President Donna Travis, and Ward 3 Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson are confirmed to attend the parade, with additional council members and community and state leaders invited.

“Our parade is one of the earliest,” said Rodrigues, predicting many politicians would attend the Warwick celebration as a first-stop of the day.

This year’s parade will feature Marcia Beagan as Grand Marshal. Rodrigues heard that Beagan has attended the parade for nearly 40 years and has always wanted to walk as Grand Marshal.

“She’s always waving flags, always enthusiastic,” said Rodrigues. “So we said we’ll grant her wish and make her Marshal.”

Beagan does plan to walk the parade route, so Rodrigues is in the process of getting a Grand Marshal sash for her to wear. “We’ve got to do this right,” he said.

The annual Memorial Day Parade kicks off from Bishop Hendricken High School and follows a mile-long course from Oakland Beach to West Shore Road until its final destination of Warwick Vets.