The air raid siren went off Saturday morning, signaling the start of another parade in the spirited community of Escalon.
From one end of Main Street to the other, the crowd filled in, adults, children, assorted pets ... those attending brought out flags, and some wore red, white, and blue, to show their patriotic support in celebrating Veterans' Day on Saturday, Nov. 10. The city's annual Veterans' Day parade stepped off at 10:30 a.m., and the weather cooperated with beams of sunlight and clear skies.
A rumble overhead signaled the arrival of two World War II artillery planes that flew low over Main Street and the crowds below. Among the passengers in those 'fly by' planes were former Escalon Police Chief and councilmember Walt Murken and his son Austin.
The Saturday parade featured several participants, including Grand Marshal Kenneth Miller, a Vietnam veteran and former Prisoner of War. A variety of motorcycle groups, including the local American Legion Riders, were cheered as they passed by the parade watchers and the entries also included a variety of antique military equipment. Uncle Sam, on stilts, made an appearance, and local school musicians.
Escalon Community Ambulance, Escalon Fire Department, Miss Escalon and her court, local Scout troops and dairy royalty also took part. Additional participants came from neighboring communities of Hughson, Manteca, Oakdale, Riverbank and Modesto.
The American Legion hosts the parade, a ceremony at the city's Community Center following and then a barbecue chicken dinner to round out the day.
After the parade, several of those attending made their way over to the Community Center for festivities to commemorate veterans and honor those currently on active military duty. The ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Wall also included a wreath laying presentation at the Escalon War Memorial to honor the area's fallen soldiers. A 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps was featured as well.
Along with the Saturday events, there was a special assembly hosted at Escalon High School on Friday (see story, photos on Page A2) and veterans gathered at the historic caboose for a brief formal remembrance ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 11 for the actual Veterans' Day observance.
From one end of Main Street to the other, the crowd filled in, adults, children, assorted pets ... those attending brought out flags, and some wore red, white, and blue, to show their patriotic support in celebrating Veterans' Day on Saturday, Nov. 10. The city's annual Veterans' Day parade stepped off at 10:30 a.m., and the weather cooperated with beams of sunlight and clear skies.
A rumble overhead signaled the arrival of two World War II artillery planes that flew low over Main Street and the crowds below. Among the passengers in those 'fly by' planes were former Escalon Police Chief and councilmember Walt Murken and his son Austin.
The Saturday parade featured several participants, including Grand Marshal Kenneth Miller, a Vietnam veteran and former Prisoner of War. A variety of motorcycle groups, including the local American Legion Riders, were cheered as they passed by the parade watchers and the entries also included a variety of antique military equipment. Uncle Sam, on stilts, made an appearance, and local school musicians.
Escalon Community Ambulance, Escalon Fire Department, Miss Escalon and her court, local Scout troops and dairy royalty also took part. Additional participants came from neighboring communities of Hughson, Manteca, Oakdale, Riverbank and Modesto.
The American Legion hosts the parade, a ceremony at the city's Community Center following and then a barbecue chicken dinner to round out the day.
After the parade, several of those attending made their way over to the Community Center for festivities to commemorate veterans and honor those currently on active military duty. The ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Wall also included a wreath laying presentation at the Escalon War Memorial to honor the area's fallen soldiers. A 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps was featured as well.
Along with the Saturday events, there was a special assembly hosted at Escalon High School on Friday (see story, photos on Page A2) and veterans gathered at the historic caboose for a brief formal remembrance ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 11 for the actual Veterans' Day observance.
