Holtville veterans parade brings I.C. together

Holtville resident Robert Garcia said the local annual veterans parade should continue being a tradition. “Should be in its thirtieth year,” Garcia said. He said the entire county is brought together by the event. The parade was organized by the City of Holtville, American Legion and Auxiliary Bradley Keffer Post 138.

“For us a small town like this it’s a big deal. We get things going on and get the community involved. And not only that but get the rest of the county coming by our town,” Garcia said.

Vietnam veteran Greg Tumbaga appreciated the community’s show of respect. “And I hope it continues throughout the years for the past and the present and for the future veterans of our country,” Tumbaga said.

Holtville resident Sabrina Barber said the parade is an opportunity to teach kids the role veterans play. “Bring up you know the children recognizing, hey, this is an opportunity for us to honor those that are continuing to fight in order to have all the freedoms and enjoyments that we have,” Barber.

Parade organizer Mary Helen Dollente said the parade honors her veteran family. “My dad was a staff sergeant in the army during World War II, and he served in the first Philippine regiment on the Philippine islands,” Dollente said.

U.S. Air Force veteran Salvador Quezada said the parade is the community’s way of saying thank you to veterans. Everyone wants to let the veterans know that we appreciate the service that they did for the country, that they took the time off to protect us, to make sure that we continue with our freedoms, our rights, and just enjoy life to the fullest,” Quezada said.

Quezada looks forward to having many more veteran’s parades in the future as a way of always remembering their great sacrifices. “I think it’s going to be a great tradition and it should be kept up,” Quezada said.