I was told if you were te first person to ask at City Hall then they would let you. Not true, we went at Rope Drop, ran there and were told you had to be chosen. To be sure we were not told bad info by a CM, we tried again later in the week. Different CM and same answer. The people chosen the days we were there were very decked out in hats, shirts with Army and Vietnam on them. They both said they were asked while walking down Main Street. I really was hoping to do it with my DH (a disabled Gulf War vet) and/or my grandpa a Navy vet, but they enjoyed watching the ceremonies and chatting with the people who were chosen. It is a beautiful ceremony, even if you don't get picked. But good luck!