Vietnam veterans Specialist Halsey (Hal) Corbett and Sgt. Art Smith will serve as co-grand marshals for Manteca’s Fourth of July parade.

This year’s parade theme is “Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans.”

The deadline to enter the parade is noon on June 29.

There is no entry fee as the Sunrise Kiwanis underwrite associated costs from their staging of the annual Manteca Pumpkin Fair.

Corbett served as a US Army combat medic.

 While tending to wounded soldiers, he was exposed to intense hostile fire. He has been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with combat "V" and the Purple Heart.

Corbett currently serves as Post Surgeon at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6311.

Smith served in Vietnam 1970-1971 as a K9 handler with the 981st KP Corp, 18th MP Brigade under the Military Advisory Command Vietnam.

The dogs and their handlers were credited with saving more than 10,000 U.S. lives and preventing certain injury for countless more during the Vietnam War.

They were so effective that they became special targets for the enemy, who began attacking kennels and offering bounties for the shoulder patch of a dog handler or the tattooed ear of a service dog.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. It will go down Main Street from Golden West School.  It then turns right to head west to Library Park where it will disperse.

Monica Mendoza is chairing the parade. If you have questions leave a name and number at 209 880-9755.

For more parade information and entry forms go to sunrisekiwanis.org

Aerial fireworks

The City of Manteca’s aerial fireworks start on Thursday, July 4, at 9:30 p.m.

The aerial display will be over the Big League Dreams sports complex northwest of Daniels Street and Airport Way.

Admission is $2 for attendees over the age of 12. Those under 12 are free. Gates open at 7 p.m.

Pancake breakfast

 The Manteca Rotary’s pancake breakfast takes place this year at the Boys & Girls Club on West Alameda Street, three blocks west of the parade route.

Breakfast is being served from 7 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 4.