Tucsonans honor nation's heroes in 93rd annual Veterans Day parade
Reporter: Justin Schecker
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - With Veterans Day falling on a Sunday this year, Americans across the country will also observe the holiday on Monday. Tucsonans can honor our veterans' service Monday morning at a parade organized by the local chapter of the American Legion.
The U.S. Border Patrol and Customs will carry out the Honor Guard. Organizers tell 9 On Your Side many branches of the armed forces from different generations of service will be represented in the parade.
This year's parade organizer is new, but Tucson's American Legion chapter has a long tradition of organizing the parade.
"American Legion Post 7 is the oldest post in Southern Arizona, parade organizer Felix Salaz said. "This is our 93rd annual parade. We've done it since 1919 and its an honor for me to be a part of it."
Salaz, also known as "el Gato," is the president of the local American Legion Riders. He's also commander of the Sons of the Legion. This year, he had the added responsibility of planning the Veterans Day Parade.
"It was thrown at me with six weeks notice," Salaz said. "We've made it happen within that time."
Salaz's father served in Vietnam.
"He's the toughest man I know and it's like nothing gets him down," Salaz said. "So I'm trying to do the same."
And his father's service in the military has inspired him to serve and honor Tucson's veterans.
"I know we take one day out of the year to honor them, but I try to take every day to honor them," Salaz said. "And I'm going to make this the best celebration I can."
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