Cool weather doesn't stop parade

link Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Parade grand marshal Tommy Knight waves to the crowd during Saturday’s Veterans Day parade along Main Street.

With the temperature in the high 40s Saturday morning and the familiar eastern New Mexico wind always a possibility, Saturday might not have provided optimal weather for a parade.

But Veterans Day Parade organizer John Montano always keeps in mind a much worse Saturday, with snow covering the Clovis streets. One parade participant gave his two cents, and there was no way organizers would cancel.

“He said, ‘The Korean War didn’t stop for the snow,’” Montano recalled.

So on Saturday’s parade went, with about 36 organizations participating in various categories, beginning with the Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance in front of the Curry County Courthouse, and ending with the honks of a 1925 Ford Model T.

“It was good,” Montano said following the 30-minute parade, over in plenty of time for veterans, enlisted military and civilians alike to enjoy an cake and ice cream social at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3280. “We didn’t have the participants we normally do, which is disappointing. But the ones who showed up were really good.”

Grand marshal of the parade was Tommy Knight, commander of AMVETS for both the state and the local Post 14.

Upcoming Veterans Day events include:

• Tuesday: 6 p.m.-8 p.m., open house at VFW 3015, 2815 W. 7th.

• Wednesday (Veterans Day): 7 a.m.-11 a.m., breakfast at American Legion Post 25, 2400 W. 7th; 6 p.m.-8 p.m., open house, American Legion Post 117, 2800 W. Grand Ave.

• Thursday: 6 p.m.-8 p.m., flag retirement ceremony, Elks Lodge 1244, 218 N. Sycamore.

• Friday: 9 a.m.-11 a.m., open house at DAV Chapter 6, 220 W. 4th St.; 6 p.m.-8 p.m., open house at AMVETS Post 14, 2010 W. 7th St.

Awards

• Veterans Organizations: 1. AMVETS Post 14. 2. VFW Post 3280. 3. VFW Post 3280 Auxiliary.

• Veterans Organizations Marching Units: 1. American Legion Post 117. 2. United States Marine Corps. 3. USAF Color Guard.

• Businesses/Organizations: 1. Bill’s Auto Service (1925 Model T). 2. Knights of Columbus. 3. Bill’s Auto Service (1950 Chevrolet).

• Youth Organizations: 1. Cub Scout Pack 411. 2. Girls Scout Troop 10403. 3. Girls Scout Troop 10541.

• Miscellaneous: 1. 36th Infantry Reenactment Group, A Com. 141st. 2. Miss Rodeo New Mexico/Pioneer Days Rodeo Queens. 3. High Plains Horseman’s Club.

• Joint Veterans Council traveling trophy: American Legion Post 25.