Casa Grande, AZ, Hundreds turn out for a parade dedicated to all veterans

OFF THE WIRE
Source: trivalleycentral.com
The Casa Grande Veterans Day Parade on Saturday featured floats, marchers in military uniform, motorcyclists, cowgirls atop ornate saddles and even the county sheriff. The weather cooperated with sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s — warming a bit before the parade’s end.

There were more than 60 entries. As the parade made its way through downtown Casa Grande, hundreds of people turned out to watch. More have turned out every year since the parade started in 2007, said organizer Palmer Miller, a veteran himself.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu marched in the parade and stopped to greet well-wishers along the way.

This year’s prizes for marching and floats went to a variety of entries. The best float also was named Best in Show. That was “Gone But Not Forgotten,” in which a man was seated in front of a headstone.

“It was plain and simple,” one observer said. “But it just got to you when you looked at it.”

The float also featured paintings on a large stand by Miller. One, on the side of the stand, was a Vietnam-era soldier, a folded flag in hand, mourning the loss of fellow soldiers. On the other side was an older man mourning the loss of a son — or perhaps a daughter — in conflict.

“It was a float in memory of our fallen soldiers,” Miller said.

Other winning entries included Moose Lodge 1038 of Arizona City for patriotic entry, Sons of the American Revolution for marching entry, Golden West Cowgirls for equestrian entry, Turning Point Beauty College for youth entry and a 1903 horseless carriage for classic vehicle.

As part of the opening ceremonies, 18-year-old Kyla Wallace of Casa Grande sang “God Bless America.” And Brad Kepler — after-school choir conductor at Casa Grande Union High School — sang the national anthem.

Participating groups included the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its auxiliary, VFW Riders, American Legion and the Legion auxiliary, Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club of Casa Grande and the Casa Grande Valley Elks Lodge. Among this year’s sponsors were The Mahoney Group, J. Warren Funeral Services and Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc.