Recognized as the largest veterans parade west of the Mississippi, the 94th Annual Veterans Day Parade took place in downtown Fresno, Nov. 11.

The parades purpose is to honor veterans from all branches and various wars including WWI, WWII, Vietnam war, Korean War. Different organizations in support of veterans as well as numerous schools also march in the parade to add more to the atmosphere.

Participating for the 4th year, Music Director Michael Ogdon took FC’s marching band, percussion, color guard, junior high and elementary cheerleaders and any students who wanted to join in to march the parade. A new addition to the team this year was a restored 1940s John Deere tractor with a trailer offered up by woodshop teacher Randy Hurley.

“We used to march only with band and flags,” Ogdon said. “A couple years ago, we added cheerleaders. The idea of bringing along anyone who would like the experience inspired Mr. Hurley to offer the restored 1940s John Deere tractor with a trailer. The trailer got some of leadership involved since that group painted the signs for the ‘float.'”

Ogdon enjoys taking various FC groups to the event because of the sense of community that is formed in doing so. He also appreciates the encouragement given from the crowd.

“We are a part of an extended community,” Ogdon said. “The parade brings that community together. We need to be there. One of the best parts of the parade is the believers on the side of the road offering, ‘Fresno Christian, praise God!'”

Color guard member Summer Villanueba, ’15, performed with the rest of her team in the parade. She was happy to honor the veterans by doing something she loves.

“I had a lot of fun at the parade,” Villanueba said. “It’s one of the biggest events for color guard. But it’s a lot of fun to honor the veterans and have fun at the same time.”

Special arrangements for the marching band and percussion have been made in previous years for the students to perform at the parade. However, this year Ogdon decided to do simple drum cadence. Another change he hopes to make for upcoming years is the time in which the band performs.

“In years past, I’ve written special musical arrangements,” Ogdon said. “This year, we went with a simple drum cadence. The only thing that I want to change for next year is that we might get an earlier start time.”

Drum major for FC’s marching band, Eric Cowin, ’14, enjoyed walking with his fellow bandmates and peers. For Cowin the experience is personal as his grandfather was a WWII veteran, so he appreciates the ability to honor him in this way.

“This is my sixth year in the parade,” Cowin said. “I like marching with the band in general, and being involved in the community is always lots of fun. My grandpa was a World War II veteran so it’s nice to honor him by performing with the band.”

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @viv_hinojosa. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.

For more features, read the Nov. 8 article, Foreign exchange student takes up hobbies, sports.

Annual Veterans Day Parade (26) by Slidely Slideshow

2013 Fresno Veterans Day Parade (VIDEO) from The Feather Online on Vimeo.

‘