View the Parade Picture Gallery at the bottom

The American Legion Petaluma Veterans Day parade goes on despite Camp fire smoke from Paradise, California.  This year (2018) Petaluma Veterans Day Parade  honored both the 100 year anniversary of World War One and over 50 years since the Vietnam Tet Offensive.  The parade had helicopter flyovers, veterans in vehicles (Corvettes, jeeps,motorcycles, and, wheelchairs).Plus their vets walking.

The Parade coordinator: Steve Kemmerle,and the parade staff were all volunteers (American Legion Post 28, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1929, Coast Guard, and others.

There were over 200 entries in the Veterans Day Parade, because of the smoke from fires in Northern California, attendance dropped off from around 40,000 in 2017 to about 25,000 this year. Steve stated – “When there’s a battle happening, you don’t let the weather bother you, and it’s basically the same way with the parade.”

The parade started at 1pm and finished about 2:30pm.  The parade ended with  ceremonies honoring all veterans: Pledge Allegiance to the flag, prayer, national anthem, talks, and more.

The parade ended around 3.  Many of the veterans, family, and friends went up to the Veterans Hall for a free BBQ dinner supplied by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1929.  I did and it was wonderful.  I was very hungry after the parade.

Thanks to all participants and parade watchers and your support of Veterans.

More pictures will be placed on this page.  If you have parade pictures to share – send them to bobh@americanlegionpetaluma.org.