Many San Benito County residents are busy putting the final
touches on plans for parades, school assemblies and other
celebrations to honor the men and women of the armed services who
have fought or fallen for the United States in wars spanning the
country’s history.
Hollister – Many San Benito County residents are busy putting the final touches on plans for parades, school assemblies and other celebrations to honor the men and women of the armed services who have fought or fallen for the United States in wars spanning the country’s history.
The Veteran’s Coalition of San Benito County will hold its fourth annual Veteran’s Day Parade Friday from 10am to 11am, as well as a fair and barbecue at the Veteran’s Memorial Building on San Benito Street. The parade, which will travel down San Benito Street from Haydon to 5th Street, will include more than 40 units, said event organizer and Persian Gulf veteran Richard Herrera.
San Benito County had not been home to such a parade for nearly 50 years before Herrera started the tradition again in 2002.
“It started out small, but it’s getting more recognition,” Herrera said. “Hopefully we’ll get a lot of people this year.”
In addition to many veteran units, the Defense Language Institute in Monterey Bay and the San Benito High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps will be marching in the parade.
The high school’s JROTC unit won first place in the parade’s all-around performance category last year, a feat they are hoping to duplicate this year, Master Chief Wade Willingham said Monday.
“We have award-winning Color Guard and Exhibition teams,” he said. “This Friday people will get to see a lot of motivated, dedicated young people being good citizens.”
The JROTC program will face tough competition in the military marching category from the Defense Language Institute. Students at the institute participate in Veteran’s Day parades throughout the region and will be sending Army, Navy and Air Force marching platoons and a Joint Service Color Guard, Community Relations Officer Al Macks said.
After the parade there will be fair with activities for kids and a barbecue, Herrera said. He encourages everyone to take time on Friday to thank veterans for their service.
“It’s a day to respect and pay tribute to local veterans for their sacrifice,” he said. “Just by coming to the parade or throwing a barbecue shows appreciation and we encourage that.”
At the Aromas School, students from the school’s kindergarten through eighth grade classes will be singing and listening to performances from the school’s band Thursday morning, Principal Stephanie Siddens said. That afternoon students will watch a flag-folding and presentation ceremony conducted by a local veteran’s group to learn about the history and ceremony surrounding Old Glory, she said.
Friday Veterans Day Events:
– Parade, 10am to 11am, on San Benito Street from Haydon to Fifth Street.
– Fair and barbecue at Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito Street, following the parade.
– The San Benito County League of United Latin American Citizens will hold an 8am Veteran’s Day breakfast at San Benito High School.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected]
