San Marcos Veterans Day Parade Set for Nov. 7
The 2015 Veterans Day Parade will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 and sponsored by the City of San Marcos with assistance from the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and local veterans’ organizations. The theme of the parade is Honoring All Who Served.
A free biscuit and gravy breakfast sponsored by Café on the Square will be served on the County Courthouse lawn beginning at 8:30 a.m. along with entertainment leading up to the parade provided by A Capella Unlimited and Head to Toe Dance. Veteran groups, military organizations, civic clubs, bands, drill teams, public officials, equestrians, youth teams, classic vehicles and others will be participating in the Veterans Day Parade which will begin at 10 a.m.
Keep San Marcos Beautiful and the Habitat Conservation Plan will be giving away trees before the parade at the breakfast.
“In recognition of Texas Arbor Day, the City is asking people to plant a tree in honor of a Veteran,” said Amy Kirwin, Keep San Marcos Beautiful program manager.
Parade Marshals
World War II-era veteran Frank Auten and Vietnam veteran Guadalupe Flores will serve as this year’s parade marshals.
Auten was a pilot instructor at Turner Army Air Field in Georgia, training the pilots who would fly missions throughout World War II. After the war, he transferred to the Office of Flying Safety to lead the organizations accident analysis division and went on to serve as the base commander at Tan Son Nhut in Vietnam. Auten retired as a colonel in 1968.
Flores joined the Air Force in 1951 and transferred to the Army in 1954. He served as an infantry instructor in Korea in 1964 and became a drill instructor shaping young recruits into soldiers from 1965-1967. Flores was an infantry platoon sergeant in Vietnam in 1967 and returned as an infantry company first sergeant in 1969. Flores retired in 1971 as a master sergeant.
Parade Route
The parade will begin on Hopkins Street at the intersection of CM Allen and will travel toward the Courthouse. After passing the Courthouse, the parade will turn left onto Guadalupe Street, then turn left onto San Antonio Street, travel down San Antonio Street and turn left onto CM Allen Parkway. The parade will then turn right onto Hopkins Street where they will return to the line-up area for disbanding.
Children are invited to join the Kiwanis Club Kids Bicycle Brigade! Show your support for Veterans by decorating and riding your bike in the parade from 9-10 a.m. preceding the parade. Bring your bikes and helmets to the Courthouse lawn where you can decorate with FREE flags, streamers, and sign materials. Join in as the Kiwanis Club members escort you into the parade. Ages 5 & older please. Bicycles, training wheels, and scooters are welcome.
For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 512.393.8400.
