CITY OF WEST SAC HOLDS A VETERANS DAY PARADE
Hundreds of people lined the streets between the old Westmore Oaks Elementary campus and Sam Combs Park in West Sacramento on Thursday to watch the city’s Veterans Day Parade.
Over 400 people participated in the parade including community leaders, local businesses, school marching bands and Sacramento River Cats mascot Dinger.
Victor Lopez, a former parole agent and West Sacramento native, attended the event with his daughter, Lily Lopez.
“I have a lot of uncles that were in World War II and Vietnam,” Victor said. “It’s great to come out to support the local community.”
Lily Lopez, who is a student at River City High School in West Sacramento, explained why she believes celebrating Veterans Day is important.
“I think it’s important to celebrate those who fought for our country and who fought for our rights,” Lily said. “I have family members that have been through hardships and risked their lives to help lots of people and it’s very important that we are supportive of them because they fought for us.”
Tina Cline lives along the route and watched the parade from her front lawn.
“I didn’t know it was happening but it just makes me feel like we’re in the United States again because of COVID and all the restrictions and stuff,” Cline emphasized. “It’s really uplifting and heartwarming.”
She believes celebrating Veteran’s Day is important because it honors people who have fought for the country and that continue to fight.
West Sacramento VFW Post 8762 organized the event and asked people to donate $5,000 to cover the expenses and fees of organizing the event through GoFundMe. All additional funds will go towards supporting veterans, their families and community programs, according to the webpage.