The annual Veterans Day ceremony and parade in San Jose was off to a wet start Monday, but it did not put a damper on the festivities.
San Jose's event that honors the men and women who serve, sponsored by the Silicon Valley chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, has been around for more than a century and is the largest Veterans Day parade in Northern California.
Joe Ortiz and his brother Ray fought in Vietnam and come here every Veterans Day.
“Rain or shine, I always enjoy the pageantry and just to be here and remember my Vietnam brothers and relatives who served,” said Vietnam veteran Joe Ortiz.
The parade included San Jose police and fire and many other non-profits and organizations that support veterans.
U.S. Army veteran Monica flores said they certainly feel that support.
“In the parade, all of the servicemembers, no matter what campaign they served in are celebrated and that’s a wonderful community to have here,” she said. Before the parade, a ceremony was held with local representatives, who laid out how the parade almost didn’t happen.
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Just six weeks ago, when funding for the event was in doubt, the Silicon Valley chapter of the Military Officers Association Of America took over and found new sponsors as the 106th consecutive annual parade would go on.
The crowds may have been smaller due to the weather but the people who attended Monday’s event told NBC Bay Area that they wouldn’t miss the chance to say thank you.
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