Beautiful Day for a Tribute
Nov 15, 2023 02:38PM ● By Seti Long, photos by Chris Pedigo
MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Marysville’s D Street was packed with onlookers as the community came together to celebrate those who have served our nation this last Veterans Day, November 11th.
The Marysville Veterans Parade returned for its 20th year, boasting an ever-growing line up of participants. Co-Founder and retired Air Force veteran, Cynthia Verrill says that 192 entries made their way down the parade route, including 5 military groups.
Members of the Marysville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 948 wave to the crowd.
This year’s parade was dedicated to the memory of Chuck Carver, co-founder of the parade. Verrill says that just after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, she was musing with Carver at an American Legion meeting about having a Veterans Day Parade. Verrill says the two came to the same conclusion – “You can talk the talk or walk the walk” and 22 years later, Carver and Verrill’s dream to celebrate local veterans with a Veterans Day Parade is still going strong. The parade has only been cancelled twice – once in 2018 due to the Camp Fire and in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Beale Airforce Base provided the 2023 honor guard, followed by this year’s Grand Marshals, two 100+ year old WWII Veterans. 100-year-old William Burke and 105-year-old George Nicholau proudly led the way down the crowded route. The parade also featured Korean War POW, Obie Wichersham. Just under 3,000 free mini-flags were handed out to children and paradegoers this year to add to the spirit of patriotism.
Verrill comes from a military family, with an impressive legacy of servicemen and women up and down the family lineage representing each of the 5 branches. She says,“When you grow up in an environment like that, you have a sincere love for your country,” and a deep sense of patriotism. That love has translated into a community wide event that celebrates her fellow veterans. When asked how she feels about how big the event has become, she exclaims, “I love it!”
A steady stream of entries, such as the motorcycles and tractors seen here, paraded down the streets of historic downtown Marysville to honor Veterans this last Veterans Day.
Tommie Thompson, retired Air Force Major who was stationed at Beale, says his group, the Blackbird Maintainers, has participated in the Marysville Veterans Parade since the event’s inception. He agrees that the parade seems to be growing each year and that a large crowd was present not only on the main thoroughfare of D Street, but also C Street.
Thompson says that participation in the parade brings himself and his group a “sense of pride.” The support of the community, “people coming out to cheer us on and wave, that’s the most exciting part for us,” says Thompson.
Many veterans and dignitaries were shuttled down the parade route.
The Marysville Veterans Parade is entirely run on donations. Verrill shares that time and time again, she has been told that running an event such as the parade cannot be done simply on donations. Her response is, “The Yuba-Sutter community loves their veterans.”
Verrill extends her thanks to all that supported the 2023 Marysville Veterans Parade. “The businesses this year were absolutely phenomenal,” says Verrill and looks forward to another amazing year in 2024.
