The Sunnyvale Sun

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Day to honor those who served

By ERIN HUSSEY

Dale Thompson, a retired Navy veteran, served his country for 30 years, including submarine duty during the Vietnam War. Although he finds the annual veterans parade in San Jose a time of sadness as he remembers fallen comrades, the Sunnyvale resident believes the event is important. "It shows support to our military, past and present," he said.

Sponsored by the United Veterans Council of Santa Clara County, the 88th annual Armistice Day Ceremony and Veterans Day Parade in downtown San Jose will take place Nov. 11--the date the armistice agreement was signed that ended World War I. Veterans, active military personnel, school bands and floats from across the South Bay, including Cupertino and Sunnyvale, will take part in the festivities.

Thompson is a member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Dolphin Base and is a delegate to the United Veterans Council of Santa Clara County. He said, "It's important for families to see that veterans and military personnel are real people. It's the veterans that protected the country and gave us the freedom that we have today."

The opening ceremony for the Veterans Day parade begins on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month with a memorial ceremony at Plaza Cesar de Chavez on Market Street to commemorate the 1918 Armistice of what veterans call the "War to End all Wars." A World War I reenactment group, the Welcome Home Doughboys, will present the colors.

The parade will start at noon at the conclusion of the opening ceremony. Thompson said walking in the parade brings up a variety of emotions.

"It's a mixed feeling," he said. "You feel proud being in your uniform and being with the other veterans, but at the same time you are thinking about your friends that didn't come back, and that hurts. Veterans Day is when we can show our pride."

The parade is the largest in Northern California and takes more than a year to plan. Thompson likens it to the famous Rose Parade. Parade Grand Marshal is retired Air Force Lt. Col. Frank Kappeler. Kappeler flew B-25 bombers during World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Some 200 numbered units will march in the two-hour parade.

"We really appreciate the support we get from Cupertino and Sunnyvale," Thompson said. "I'm thankful I live here because they honor their veterans."