(Nov. 9, 2014) -- Long Beach's 18th annual Veterans Day Parade stepped off on Saturday Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. with over 100 entries representing all branches of the armed services along with multiple local officials and groups taking part.

LBREPORT.com has extended on-demand VIDEO coverage delivering the sights and sounds of the parade below. Our online video -- making the Long Beach event accessible 24/7 wherever there's an internet connection -- was made possible by the Signal Tribune. Videography, video recording and wireless audio was courtesy of the technical facilities of WebCastLongBeach.com.

To launch on-demand video, click the video icon below. (It's a large wmv. file and may take a few moments to load) :

To view video in smaller file (loads faster, fits smart phones and tablets well), click here.

Signal Tribune also published the parade program. To download a copy, click here.

The parade's Grand Marshal was Stephen Peck,, a Vietnam veteran (Lieutenant, 1st Marine Division) who earned a Masters degree in Social Work from USC and is today President/CEO of U.S. Vets. The non-profit's website says it is "the nation's largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk veterans." [Mr. Peck also happens to be the son of the late actor Gregory Peck.]

Multiple Long Beach and regional officials took part in the parade, including Long Beach Councilmembers Lena Gonzalez, Suzie Price, Assemblyman-elect Patrick O'Donnell, Councilmembers Robert Uranga, Al Austin and Rex Richardson. Retired Councilwoman Rae Gabelich and her son Guy also took part.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia was scheduled to attend as the lead-off local elected official...but wasn't visible. Banner carriers announced him; a double decker bus listed him...but it carried his office staff. Likewise absent from among Councilmembers: Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal [based on Facebook dispatches was present at the Downtown Residential Council's retreat], Councilmembers Stacy Mungo and Dee Andrews.

Other local officials (not a complete list) included: LB City Attorney Charles Parkin; LB City Prosecutor Doug Haubert; LB City Manager Pat West; LBPD Deputy Chief Robert Luna, East Division Commander Paul LeBaron (and multiple command staff members); LB City College Board of Trustees President Jeff, Kellogg and Vice President Doug Otto, Trustees Virginia Baxter and Sunny Zia; Assemblyman (and state Senator elect) Isadore Hall III. LB Schoolboard member Megan Kerr was riding aboard Councilman Austin's double-decker bus along with other guests.

Multiple middle school and high school marching bands took part, along with several ROTC units.

Friends of Long Beach Animals had an entry saluting "War Dogs," canines who served in wartime conditions.

A Veterans Festival in Houghton Park followed the parade, including a kids zone, food, informational booths and services for vets and their families.