Nearly 150 entries populated the 13th annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day parade on Friday, Nov. 11.
Thousands sat, stood and cheered veterans from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom — both in and out of uniform — along the 1.1 mile parade route on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, between San Fernando Mission Boulevard and Paxton Street. Along with men and women military personnel and American Legion representatives, there were marching bands and Junior ROTC units from San Fernando, Van Nuys, Bravo Magnet, Reseda, Kennedy, Cleveland, Monroe and other high schools also marching down the streets in formations.
Among the crowd favorites were “Smokey the Bear” from the US Forest Service; the LA County Air Operations Fire Hawk helicopter; and the WWII North American AT-6 vintage aircraft, which performed two flyovers for the crowd.
This year’s Grand Marshal was 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Harry Pregerson, who fought as a Marine first lieutenant in the Battle of Okinawa during the Second World War.
The colors were presented by the Los Angeles Air Force Base Color Guard.