Veterans Day parade ready to roll, despite some complaints

Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista Arizona ^ | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

SIERRA VISTA — Nearly four-dozen entries are scheduled to take part in the Veterans Day Parade in this community, which is home to an active-duty Army post and to a number of military retirees.

For the first time, the parade's grand marshal is a woman veteran — retired Army Col. Virginia Gannon. She was named to the honorary position — the eighth grand marshal — by Sierra Vista Mayor Thomas Hessler.

"Sierra Vista is a better place because of people like Virginia Gannon," Hessler said. "She is one of those rare and special people who make a difference every day."

There were a number of people who nominated her, including Tom Fall.

"In the quarter-century I have known Col. Gannon, she has worked continuously and tirelessly for the better of Sierra Vista in various areas of community life," Fall said.

Acting as Gannon's escort will be Spc. Jacob Arnold, Fort Huachuca's Soldier of the Quarter. The soldier is a member of the 11th Signal Brigade's 40th Signal Battalion.

The parade will take place on Friday, a day that is a federal, state, local and school holiday this year.

The actual Veterans Day is Nov. 11, which falls on a Saturday this year.

Some veteran groups and individuals complained about Friday being the day for the parade. They contend it should be held on Nov. 11, which originally was called Armistice Day, when World War I came to an end in 1918.

However, although federal law declares Nov. 11 as the official day of celebration, it also allows for communities to have the event on a Friday if the 11th is on Saturday, or a Monday if it is on a Sunday.

This year, the federal government declared Friday, Nov. 10, as the official holiday, giving most government workers the day off.

Having heard the complaints, Hessler checked on having the parade on Friday and found out in the past the city celebrated the event on Friday if Nov. 11 was a Saturday.

In an e-mail to the fort's Garrison Commander Col. Jonathan Hunter, the mayor stated, "I know this does not please some of our veterans and some veterans organizations."

Regardless of what day the event is honored, the mayor (a veteran of the U.S. Army) said it will show the gratitude of the community for those who have served and are serving in America’s armed forces.

The fort's past and present history will include participation of B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry (Memorial), an 1880s post re-enactment organization, and units of the services on the fort.

Also, scheduled to be part of the parade is a 21-foot replica of the nuclear submarine, USS Tucson.

Five bands, including the 36th U.S. Army Band from the post, will march down Fry Boulevard, the 12th year of the parade.

The parade route is down Fry Boulevard from Seventh Street to the city's veterans park.

The boulevard will be closed to traffic beginning at 8:50 a.m. until the parade is done.

And, Wilcox Drive between Seventh Street and Lenzner Avenue will be closed to traffic beginning at 7 a.m. to provide a staging area for the parade.

Parade participants are asked to contact Keith Graham of the city’s Parks and Leisure Department by 3 p.m. Thursday by calling 458-7922, providing what time they need to arrive at the staging area.

And, to avoid traffic delays, participants should be dropped off at Calvary Chapel on Marianne Drive, behind Wendy’s, to walk to the staging area on Wilcox Drive.

At the conclusion of the parade Col. Jeffrey G. Smith Jr., the deputy commander of the Network Enterprise Technology Command and Hessler will speak at the park.

Hessler said he urges "all Sierra Vista residents to attend the parade to honor our veterans and active duty soldiers."

Herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.