(Nov. 8, 2015, 6:33 p.m.) -- Below is LBREPORT.com special event extended VIDEO coverage of this year's (Nov. 7) 19th Annual Long Beach Veterans Day Parade.
To our knowledge, LBREPORT.com is the ONLY Long Beach news outlet to provide extended VIDEO coverage of this year's grassroots created, volunteer organized event.
This year's parade included a number of surviving members of "the greatest generation" in military service during WWII. Parade Grand Marshals ADC Clifford A Chaffee (USN, ret.) and Allan Kobrick are 100 years old.
In terms of event participants (over 200 parade units this year), Long Beach holds one the largest Veterans Day parades in the southland. A number of area officials took part: Congressmember Janice Hahn, Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell (but no state Senators), L.A. County Supervisor (and Navy vet) Don Knabe, City Attorney Charles Parkin, LBCC Trustee Jeff Kellogg (we believe other Trustees took part but we just didn't spot them); LBUSD Boardmembers Megan Kerr and Dr. Felton Williams; the Port of LB was represented by Harbor Commissioner (and former U.S. Paratrooper/29 year LBPD veteran/two term Councilman) Doug Drummond.
The parade also featured marching bands, JROTC units, LBPD, LBFD (volunteers and command staff), veteran support groups, multiple service organizations, non-profits and cultural and equestrian units.
LB Mayor Robert Garcia took part; so did LB Councilmembers Daryl Supernaw, Dee Andrews and Rex Richardson...but six other LB Council incumbents -- Lena Gonzalez, Suja Lowenthal, Suzie Price, Stacy Mungo, Roberto Uranga and Al Austin -- weren't visible. (Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez's spouse and office chief of staff took part in her stead.) Some electeds who weren't present supported the event by purchasing ads in an official program.
LBREPORT.com provided extended VIDEO coverage (visible worldwide, below) at no cost; we thank our readers and advertisers for making our coverage possible...and we especially thank all Veterans.
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