With a roughly half-hour parade, including a flag ceremony in front of the historic caboose adjacent to the city’s Main Street Park, residents of Escalon gathered downtown on Tuesday, Nov. 11 to observe Veterans Day.

The familiar fire horn at the Escalon Historical Society Museum blared its signal at 10:30 a.m. to announce the official start of the parade. There were multiple entries, ranging from the Escalon FFA to the EHS cheer squad, the Modesto Area A’s car club to the Tuleburgh 69 San Joaquin County Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. Escalon American Legion Post 263 Commander Mike Christensen was the Grand Marshal and the Legion’s colorguard led off the parade, presenting the colors. PowerHouse Dance offered up an energetic entry and there were also some parade entrants that tossed candy to the crowd.

Following the parade, many attendees made their way over to the Escalon Community Center, where special music was performed by the EHS band and choir, as well as the El Portal band. Former Escalon American Legion member Allan Lial served as guest speaker for the ceremony, with a pair of memorial wreaths also placed at monuments on the grounds to commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans. A 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps rounded out the ceremony.

A chicken barbecue lunch was available on site, with many opting to stay and eat their meal at the Community Center; others taking the meal to go.

Times Photos By Marg Jackson