America's Finest City Celebrates
Sunshine and cerulean blue skies greeted participants and spectators at this year’s San Diego Veterans Day Parade. America’s Finest City hosted an iconic cavalcade that celebrated the “70th anniversary of World War II Victory and Peace” with close to 500 WWII veterans taking part in the procession, including one member of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen and one 103 year old vet.
The Marine Corps Marching Band led the procession playing the Marine’s Hymn, also known as The Halls of Montezuma.
98-year old Mabel Stenstrom acted as Grand Marshall, representing the women of the Greatest Generation. She joined the Navy in March of 1944 and served her nation for a year as a drill platoon leader and lifeguard. This year marks the first ever woman Grand Marshall of the celebration.
Close to one thousand active duty military members marched in the parade, and the streets that line the glorious San Diego bay were flanked with troops in crisp dress uniforms. However, all festivities took a quick break as six troops in muddied fatigues climbed into the bed of a pickup and reenacted the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima in a still life presentation. Cheers and proud applause broke out in praise of their lifelike staging.
An estimated 60,000 spectators enjoyed the parade, which put aside its usual floats in favor of a reinvigorated format that included far more veterans and their groups.
As the parade made its way from the county administration building, it passed by the San Diego Maritime Museum with its large collection of sailing ships from previous centuries, some still equipped with working canons. Then the procession continued past the Midway Museum, which is the converted naval aircraft carrier, which one of the longest serving battleships in operation from 1945 to 1992.
The parade continued alongside the bay, past Seaport Village and the Convention Center, and it concluded close to the urbane Gas Lamp District that has many of the best restaurants and clubs in the downtown area.
Neighbors and Families Alike
As parade participants marched along the route, many of the children watching pointed and called out to the mom or dad, and onlookers defied the barriers to rush into the street and shake hands with those who served the country.
Included in the lineup were chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Many of the chapters brought World War II Veterans in swanky antique cars. While veterans from other eras contributed, this parade highlighted those who served in the Great War.
Also in attendance were the Navy’s submarine corps, including the crews of the fast-attack subs Pasadena and Hampton, followed by members of the submarine forces from WWII.
The celebration attracted numerous public servants as well. City councilman and former mayor pro tem, Todd Gloria joined in, as did State Assemblywoman Toni Akins and Congresswoman Susan Davis.
In addition, student veteran organizations from San Diego State University and Southwestern, Grossmont and Mesa community colleges marched in the cavalcade holding aloft flags from each of the four military branches and large photographs of parents who had served their nation.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts participated as well as various school marching bands adding to the local flavor.
The Hometown Feel of San Diego
While the obvious focus was on veterans and the military, the downtown scene highlighted the friendly neighborliness of San Diego. The iconic weather merely enhanced the warmth of the citizenry regardless of which area of town they reside. Smiles and handshakes, well wishes and waves made the parade seem like a giant block party rather than a large, citywide event.
While San Diego’s history as a town dates back centuries, the last few decades have seen a concerted effort to rekindle the attraction of the downtown district that borders the stunning bay. The district now features elegant high rise condos, a vibrant urban populace and delightful bayside parks and trails. In addition, the district has easy access to the city’s popular sites such as Coronado Island, the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and The Safari Park. Moreover, San Diego boasts some of the state’s most stunning beaches, such as Moonlight beach in Encinitas and La Jolla Cove that attracts snorkelers and divers alike with its underwater park.
San Diego's Military Background
Yet, this fun city has a long military history as well, and the residents who lined the parade route showed their patriotism and pride in this aspect of America’s Finest City. In fact, just across the bay and within view of the parade route is the Naval Base North Island, which is home to several aircraft carriers, and the submarine base stationed in Point Loma, which ports several nuclear submarines and the Navy’s stealth fighter. The Marines have extensive bases just miles north of downtown and bordering Orange County along the coast.
Thus, the decision this year to use the parade to celebrate the Greatest Generation seemed exceedingly fitting for this town. Cheers and greetings of thanksgiving were shouted out as nonagenarians passed by in convertibles wearing pristine vintage uniforms. However, the most heartfelt gratitude was saved for the survivors of Pearl Harbor, the oldest of which is 103.
After the revelry, the marchers and onlookers merged into one glorious group filled with pride in the country and the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect it. Many stayed alongside the harbor to enjoy touring the Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship or catch a bite at Anthony’s Fish Grotto, a longtime favorite of locals that sits out over the bay for an incredible view of the water, Coronado Island and the aircraft carriers in port at North Island.
It was a fitting ceremony, and spectators everywhere greeted and thanked the vets and active duty troops as they passed by them on their way home.
