SALINAS VALLEY — An estimated 25,000-plus patriotic spectators lined Main Street in Salinas for the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade that featured more than 100 participants, including color guards, marching bands, military vehicles and classic cars.
According to Parade Chairman Tony Virrueta, the Nov. 11 event was the largest to date and involved many from South Monterey County, such as Soledad American Legion Post 32, Soledad High School NJROTC, Hartnell Veterans Club, Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez of Greenfield, Fort Hunter Liggett soldiers and FHL Garrison Commander Col. Lisa Lamb, who was this year’s grand marshal.
The 2022 parade was dedicated to fallen Salinas Police Officer JD Alvarado, who was a combat Army veteran.
An opening ceremony took place prior to the parade at the Salinas High School parking lot, where a mock oath of enlistment occurred for about 100 future service members from all military branches.
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- Future service members take the oath of enlistment during the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- A veteran salutes during the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Fort Hunter Liggett Garrison Commander Col. Lisa Lamb speaks as this year’s grand marshal of the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Parade Chairman Tony Virrueta (left) salutes during the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- A Soledad veteran salutes during the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Community members hold up flags during the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- A veteran salutes during the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Soledad High School NJROTC cadets at the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Luis Alejo)
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- Monterey County Supervisors (from left) Luis Alejo, Chris Lopez and Wendy Root-Askew attend the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Luis Alejo)
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- The 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade honored Salinas Police Officer Jorge David Alavardo Jr., who died in the line of duty Feb. 25, 2022, and served as a soldier before becoming a police officer. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- A Navy veteran hands out flags to spectators at the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Youth ride on a float in the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- A fire engine takes part in the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Soledad American Legion attends the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center’s Joint Service Color Guard marches in the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Marines from the Presidio of Monterey march in the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- A boy watches the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- One of the many classic cars at the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Hartnell Veterans Club at the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Hartnell College)
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- Fort Hunter Liggett soldiers ride in the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Fort Hunter Liggett soldiers demonstrate weapons at the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Col. Sam Kline (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Traylor, the USAG Presidio of Monterey command team, wave to spectators during the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Soledad High School NJROTC cadets march during the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- David G. Perez (right), a combat medic in World War II, greets spectators during the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
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- Veterans take part in the 12th Annual Monterey County Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on Nov. 11. (Presidio of Monterey)
Other local Veterans Day events included King City VFW’s drive-thru barbecue and City of Soledad’s Salute to Service ceremony.
Hosted at at Soledad City Hall, the second annual Salute to Service: Veterans and Family Appreciation Day on Nov. 11 featured a POW/MIA flag-raising ceremony and guest speakers, such as Senior Naval Science Instructor Capt. Pete Gomez and Soledad Police Chief Damon Wasson.
Other participants included Soledad Historical Society, Soledad Lioness Club, Soledad High School NJROTC cadets and the Soledad Aztec marching band.
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- City of Soledad officials and local veterans attend the second annual Salute to Service: Veterans and Family Appreciation Day at Soledad City Hall on Nov. 11. (City of Soledad)
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- A POW/MIA flag is raised during the second annual Salute to Service: Veterans and Family Appreciation Day at Soledad City Hall on Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Anna Velazquez)
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- Soledad Aztec marching band performs at the second annual Salute to Service: Veterans and Family Appreciation Day at Soledad City Hall on Nov. 11. (City of Soledad)
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- Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez (left) gathers with Senior Naval Science Instructor Capt. Pete Gomez at the second annual Salute to Service: Veterans and Family Appreciation Day at Soledad City Hall on Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Anna Velazquez)
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- Veteran photos are displayed at the second annual Salute to Service: Veterans and Family Appreciation Day at Soledad City Hall on Nov. 11. (City of Soledad)
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- Soledad Lioness Club members join Mayor Anna Velazquez (far right) at the second annual Salute to Service: Veterans and Family Appreciation Day at Soledad City Hall on Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Anna Velazquez)
