These entries are newcomers to the parade. In years past, they
used Veterans Day to protest at various military facilities
around Sacramento. Fresh from their victory at City Hall they
chose to bring their message by way of first time parade entries
in an event to honor our military, past and present.
"HONORING AMERICA'S FINEST"
LET US JOIN TOGETHER TO
HONOR THEM ALL
AT THE VETERANS DAY PARADE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, BEGINNING AT NOON*
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO AROUND THE CAPITOL
*Assemble: 8:30AM - 10AM Reviewing
Stand Ceremony (on West side of the Capitol) 11:15AM
The Ceremony will be signed for the
Hearing Impaired
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE WILL BE
PAID TO WOMEN VETERANS IN ATTENDANCE:
Grand Marshall: Major General Nora A. Astafan USAF (RET)
Master of Ceremonies Michelle Shockley, 96.9 "EAGLE"
State, City and County Dignitaries
Veteran Organization Dignitaries
E-mail message to
Veterans Day Parade organizers:
Correct me if I'm in error. Are these not
first time entries in the Veterans Day Parade? Is the
language below, to be read on the reviewing stand,
appropriate to a day honoring America's Veterans?
Speaking only for
myself, I am offended by statements like "empower
those who have been victimized by the
invasion/occupation of Iraq" and "soldiers are
making the ultimate sacrifice for a war that was
immorally conceived and has been incompetently managed."
I don't question the right
of any true Veteran's group to march and be honored by
the rest of us. Nor do I question the value of
recognizing those organization who support our veterans,
soldiers and their families. I do question the
intentions of these politically charged
groups who pressured the City of Sacramento Mayor and
Council's inappropriate and non-representative passage
of a resolution condemning our nation's actions in the
Middle East.
Dave Jenest, Webmaster
The NEW Parade Entries
as published at Official:
PARADE ENTRIES
28. VETERANS FOR PEACE, CHAPTER 87
Every member of Veterans For Peace
served our nation in military duty. We know the heavy
burdens of war and on this day extend our sympathies to our
fellow veterans, active duty soldiers, and citizens. Many
of us volunteered and others were drafted. We trusted our
leaders to risk our lives only on just and clearly defined
missions. To send us prepared into battle. To take care of
us and our families if injured or fallen. This trust has
been abused and dishonors our soldier's sacrifice. Support
the troops. Bring them home now. Take care of them when
they get here!
31. MILITARY FAMILIES SPEAK OUT
We are the California chapters of
Military Families Speak Out (MFSO). Our message is: 1.
Support the Troops! 2. Bring them home NOW! 3. Take care
of them when they get here! MFSO opposes this
administration's policies in a war that was misrepresented
to the American people. It is our over 10,000 loved ones
who have died or been seriously wounded. Iraqi civilian
deaths are in the tens of thousands. The US has spent
almost 300 billion dollars, with billions more committed.
Nearly 70% of the American people are now opposed to the
war. MFSO members are patriotic and honor the service and
sacrifice of our troops. Military Families speak Out calls
for an immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq. Thank
you!
32. GOLD STAR FAMILIES FOR PEACE
We are the members of Gold Star
Families For Peace. As families of soldiers who have died
as a result of war, we are organizing to bring our sons and
daughters home from Iraq, to minimize the "human cost" of
this war, and to prevent other families from the pain we are
feeling as the result of our losses. Our mission is to
provide support and to empower those who have been
victimized by the invasion/occupation of Iraq; to raise
awareness in the United States about the true human costs of
the invasion/occupation of Iraq, and to reach out to
families who have lost a loved one as a result of war. We
support the troops by calling on the government to bring
them home. Thank you!
34. IRAQ WAR VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR
(IVAW)
Each generation of conflicts breeds a
different generation of veterans, and as each war or
conflict fades, veterans from each generation gather to find
support amongst each other. As we pause to remember those
who made the sacrifices, this holiday takes on additional
poignancy when our soldiers are making the ultimate
sacrifice for a war that was immorally conceived and has
been incompetently managed. Established on July 28th,
2004, Iraq Veterans Against the War is dedicated to fighting
for adequate healthcare, full benefits, as well as support
for the returning veterans. The fight is to bring them home
so that others do not die for an unjust cause.
Outrageous you
say? We agree! Learn from the Council Session. Show up in huge
numbers to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
E-mail your comments to be posted on our
site or to volunteer for our Pro-Troop activities.
E-mail your comments to be posted on our
site or to volunteer for our Pro-Troop activities.
