Crowds lined up along Main Street in Fallbrook today to watch a Veterans Day Parade. Two Navy jets roared overhead as a salute to those who have served. KPBS reporter Alison St John was there.
Heavy armored vehicles from nearby Camp Pendleton roared down the parade route in camouflage colors, followed by shiny red fire trucks, uniformed veterans leaning out of the windows to wave at the crowds.
Waving back enthusiastically was Carolyn Jones, wife of a Vietnam vet, wearing her red white and blue, stars and stripes sweater. She says she’s watched many Veterans’ Day parades during her 29 years in Fallbrook.
Jones: It grows each year and of course there’s more emphasis now on the troops and that’s what they need, they need the respect that what they’re doing for us is worthwhile.
This year there was something extra:
Audio : Jets flying overhead
The crowds cheered as two Navy F-18 Hornets flew by in tight formation, low over the parade.
All along the parade route Fallbrook’s many retired military saluted as the trucks rolled by. A father with his son perched high on his shoulder shouted his gratitude,"Thank you for your service, thank you !"
The Fallbrook Art Center featured an exhibit of creative reflections on war, and at the end of the parade, the Fallbrook Chorale celebrated the veterans with song in the Village Square.
Above: Part of the Fallbrook Arts Center “Decades of Conflict” Exhibit. On the boots are the words, “Will we see the end of war” “or will war see the end of us.”
Audio : A chorale singing and the crowd cheering.
Alison St John, KPBS News.
