Residents rally support for service members in Veterans Day
HOLTVILLE — The parade here got out the starting block a bit early but it was a marathon of patriotic spirit as crowds rushed Fifth Street to show appreciation for the armed forces.
The city of Holtville, Chamber of Commerce and Kim Vincent, president of the American Legion Auxiliary Bradley Keffer Post 138, organized the parade a week before Veteran’s Day to avoid conflict with the Cattle Call Parade on Nov. 11.
Serving as announcer at the fourth annual Veteran’s Day Parade was Holtville Mayor Mike Goodsell and entertainment by Tim Hurley.
There were 47 entries, including a convoy of terrain and sea craft from the Naval Air Facility El Centro as well as a flyover of the REACH Air Medical Services helicopter to kick things off.
Staking out a seat just starboard to the grandstand was Janet James, whose husband Dennis James served three tours of duty in Vietnam as a radio operator aboard the USS Knox from 1967 to 1973 and 30 years as a Coast Guard reservist.
This was Janet’s first time at the parade as she and Dennis, who marched with Vietnam veterans, were always out of town previously.
“Were proud to support our vets,” said James. “It’s a good way to say welcome home. But it’s not just Veterans Day that’s special. My husband is thriving and every day he served his country.”
Also with curbside seats was Francisco Padilla who graduated Holtville High School and was attending his third parade.
He has two cousins in the U.S. Marine Corps, one who has retired and another about to muster out. Padilla enjoys the chance to catch up with former classmates.
“It’s a great event and I really like it,” said Padilla. Added his niece, Maile, seventh-grader at De Anza Magnet School, “I like the positive spirit and all the family members who come out.”
And parades are a must-see when a family member participates. Amy Ulibarri’s daughter Effy, 3, road on Noah’s Ark Preschool & Day Care float. “She goes there twice a week and today she’s dressed up in patriotic colors, so we’re here to watch our beloved Holtville neighbors, hang out with family and support our vets,” she said.
Joey Acosta, Ulibarri’s father-in-law was a U.S. Army Spec-4 from 1979 to 1982, stationed in Giessen, Germany, working as a diesel mechanic. “I’m a vet so I’ll support the military anywhere and anything they do,” he said. Jim and Jackie Semmes were curbside with their friend Pete and Chihuahua, Ivy. Said Jim, “My wife is in Las Comadres, dressed as Rosie the Riveter,” he said. “So we came out to support her. She’s been in the parade before, it’s become an annual ritual.”
Leading the Holtville Middle School Marching Band was Lendal Macon, in his 47th year as a band director. The Warriors performed a rousing rendition of George M. Cohan’s, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Enjoying hot dogs in Holt Park afterwards were two World War II veterans, Jesus Sandoval and Rudy Villalobos. They road on the Bradley Keffer Post 138 float. “We’re both 94 years old,” said Villalobos.