City of Redlands Honors Veterans

Loud applause, whistling, and cheers erupted from the crowd of onlookers as the Redlands Veterans Day Parade made its way past them along the parade route, winding through downtown Redlands from Redlands High School to its final stop at Jennie Davis Park. Hundreds lined the streets for the spectacle, which touted former Congressman Jerry Lewis as Grand Marshal, and the sense of patriotism and respect was tangible as onlookers took time to honor veterans and their sacrifices for this country's freedom. Parade participants included veterans, local bands, current serving members of the armed forces, classic cars, and government officials. One marching band was the Zanja Fife and Drum Corps, with members dressed in traditional Revolutionary War and Colonial era uniforms. Also marching through the parade were high school students from Rialto High School's NJROTC Program. Erasmo Romo and Fredhel Mejia have been in the Rialto NJROTC program for two years and explained that they really enjoyed being a part of the parade. Tiffany Lorenzana and Susana Gomez are both freshmen, new to the program, and described their favorite part of the parade as when they performed their double counter march to the sound of the audience applauding and cheering them on. There to celebrate in the day's festivities were local supporters, families and friends. Sitting along the parade route were two Vietnam veterans, Bill Conklin and Chris Woodin. Both men have been local Redlands residents for over 15 years and expressed their appreciation for the city hosting this parade to honor veterans. Playing the clarinet in Beattie Middle School's Bobcat Band was 13-year-old Gavin Cevallos. Gavin has been playing clarinet for three years, and said he was excited to play in the parade. Gavin's mother, Tracy, and little sister Cara, were both there to support him while enjoying the warm weather and parade. The community came together to thank all veterans for their service, and for veterans to remember their time served and share their stories. Following the parade was a picnic and ceremony at Jennie Davis Park. Set up in the park were local vendors and food trucks, kid areas, beer gardens, and picnic spaces. Ron Richmond and his wife Karla displayed a two-and-a-half-ton truck and Jeep trailer from WWII and the Korean war in the center of the park. Ron said, "Today brings back a lot of memories of time served. If you ask veterans that served, they can tell you some really great Jeep stories from their past."