Menifee parade salutes veterans | Valley News

The Oasis Veterans Club in Menifee took its Veterans Day celebration to the streets of the 55+ retirement community Wednesday, Nov. 11, to honor those who have served. Recognizing the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, a group of veterans from that war were deemed grand marshals.

Bill Becker, Don Chapton, Angelo Rini, Bill Urmin, Ken Wright and civilian prisoner of war Ria Mock rode on a flatbed truck decorated with flags from each branch of service or were chauffeured in one of about a dozen classic cars that drove along the approximately 5-mile long parade route. Several patriotically decorated golf carts were also part of the procession that included bicyclists, the Menifee Police Department, two fire department trucks and a World War II-era jeep provided by the March Field Air Museum in Riverside.

A 48-star American flag was mounted on the flatbed, depicting the one that was flown during the period of World War II. Several classic car clubs participated, including members of the Sun City Cruizers and the South Side Axle Draggers. It was the first Veterans Day parade held by the club and only the second parade in its 10-year history.

“We wanted to do something to honor our veterans and for the community,” club president Steve Escoto said.