5th annual Imperial County Veterans Day Parade

The community of Imperial County joined together us as we honored and paid tribute to veterans, past and present, during the fifth annual Imperial County Veterans Day Parade. Naval Air Facility El Centro’s Color Guard led the parade followed by veterans of all branches of service, including members of the American Legion Bradley-Keffer Post 138, Holtville; American Legion Goree Lake Post 90, Calexico, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9305, Imperial Valley.

Pete Mallinger, U.S. Navy and pastor of Calvary Chapel of El Centro, gave the invocation. Isabella Burns, Meadows Union student, and Nick Wells, Holtville city manager, sang the National Anthem. Reach Air Medical Services started with a flyover, and the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Aero Squadron provided a dual flyover mid-parade. Immediately following the parade, ConFusion provided live entertainment.

This was the first year the parade selected a grand marshal. WWII veteran and Calexico resident, Tech Sgt, Rudolph (Rudy) Villalobos, who served in the 8th Air Force, 96th Bomb Group, as a radio operator/ gunner on a B-17 “Flying Fortress.” Rudy is well decorated for his service and is a recipient of the distinguished Flying Cross and the French Legion of Honor medal. Following the parade, Rudy had his own meet-andgreet in the park with a table full of memorabilia, netting many interested supporters.

Thank you to my fellow veterans, parade sponsors, parade participants and the community for joining us as we celebrated those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom.

Service, not self.

KIM VINCENT

President, American Legion Auxiliary Bradley-Keffer Unit 138, Holtville, & District 30, County of Imperial