Oceanside plans its biggest parade for troops Oct. 25

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | September 27, 2003 | Lola Sherman

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Defenders of Freedom Parade

"The City of Oceanside is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a Defenders of Freedom Tickertape Parade to welcome home the nation's Marines and Sailors from the First Expeditionary Marine Force. The Defenders of Freedom Parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. on October 25, 2003, on Coast Hwy. at Wisconsin Avenue and will terminate on Coast Hwy. and Surfrider Way. There will also be a static display of military equipment located on The Strand between Civic Center and Seagaze Drives."

When: Saturday, October 25, 2003, starts at 10:00am (NEXT WEEKEND!!)
Where: Oceanside, CA
The article was published last month, for the latest info,
please visit the city's website: http://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/

[doug from upland]

Oh, man. I'm going to be in San Antonio. I would have loved to be there.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Pinging all San Diegans and Southern Californians!

Hi! I just thought I should ping you all, in case some of you have not heard about this. Please tell all your friends and ping everybody. It should be an awesome family event that you won't want to miss. (I missed the big Pro-troops rally held in front of the Miramar Base last March and I only live about 10 minutes away. I don't know how I missed hearing about it. Could you tell that I'm still a little upset?) :) Well, I don't want that to happen to you.
Best Regards,
HB

[Hyacinth Bucket]

That's too bad. I heard that the event would be televised so maybe you can do the next best thing which is to record it and watch it later.

[onyx]

Hadn't heard. THANK YOU for the ping.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

You're welcome!
Also, everyone, there's an AIRSHOW going on this weekend at the Miramar Base! Blue Angels performing as well as other planes.

http://www.miramarairshow.com/

[Cobra64]

Now THIS is a good reason to visit Cali. Of course, I'd have to take a liberal-lepper antibiotic shot. Would be interested in what Pelossi, Boxer, and Gray-Out's out control comments will be. Should be fun to see these nasties go ballistic.

[doug from upland]

I got to see the Blue Angels last weekend during Fleet Week in San Francisco. Yes, San Francisco. I got my shots.

[merry10]

Ping and bump

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Pelossi, Boxer, and Gray-Out
I hope these people stay far, far away from this parade event.

[Euro-American Scum]

Bump for future reference.

[Hildy]

FYI

[Cousin Eddie]

We're going to be in Newport Beach with our 4 kids that weekend. Is it realistic to expect to find parking in Oceanside or will it be a total zoo? I checked the website but I'm a bit concerned that it may be a total mob-scene.

I'd love for them to see something like this (none of our kids were alive at the time of Desert Storm).

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Oh, I'm sure it will be a zoo but perhaps with a lot of planning, studying maps, etc., it might be a little less chaotic. I don't know yet how we're going to get there, but the usual thing we do in cases like these, is to come early and park far away but hopefully within comfortable walking distance to the nearest shuttle stop. I know this is not the most original idea and most people are thinking the same thing, right?

Also, you might want to call the parade hotline at (760) 435-5228 and ask for suggestions.

Sorry I can't be of any more help than this but if I think or come across something that might help you and your family to get from Newport Beach to Oceanside, I'll send you freepmail. And check back to this thread again to see if others have any ideas for you.

Best Regards,
HB

[mo4bush]

I'm going to be in real estate classes all weekend! I'll try to rearrange my schedule but I doubt I'll be able to. I'm sure my husband (Vietnam Vet) will go with his group.

[mo4bush]

Hold the phone, the parade only runs from 10 to noon. Perhaps I can miss the morning session, buzz up there and get back to class by 1p.m. This is so important to me to support our troups!!!!!!!

Mo4Bush

[Kahuna]

cousin eddie..you could hop the southbound amtrack at San Clemente and pull right smack dab into the middle of Oceanside.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

cousin eddie..you could hop the southbound amtrack at San Clemente and pull right smack dab into the middle of Oceanside.

Hi Cousin Eddie. Kahuna has a really good suggestion here. You might want to look into taking the Amtrak train. Wow, that might be really fun for the kids.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

For those of us coming from south of Oceanside, taking the local commuter Coaster Train is another way we could avoid the parking hassles. I'll post more info after I visit the Coaster website.

Got the following info from the Parade website not from the Coaster website:

"Coaster Train Schedule:
The Coaster will expand its northbound and southbound train schedule into Oceanside. The Coaster will leave San Diego at 8:20 a.m. and arrive in Oceanside at 9:20 a.m. in ample time for visitors to view the parade. The Coaster will head southbound leaving Oceanside at 11:42 a.m. 12:45 p.m. and at 3:10 p.m."