Richard Mueller, a Chico resident who served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1965 to 1970, drives a 1929 Ford during the Veterans Day Parade in Oroville, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. – Drive a Model A closed cab pickup. (Ed Booth) /Enterprise Records)
OROVILLE — Taking advantage of the extremely pleasant weather conditions for a fall day, more than 2,000 people lined Montgomery Street Saturday morning for the annual Veterans Day Parade in Oroville.
Sponsored by the Oroville Exchange Club, 34 entries participated in the procession, ranging from youth groups and school bands to government agencies and, of course, veterans groups. The event was a holiday that began in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I, when the United States and its allies won against the German-led invaders, and to honor those who served in the military. It was originally called “Armistice Day.”
Saturday’s festival attendees were probably thinking only about celebration, as marchers and even some riders in parade vehicles waved, threw candy, handed out souvenirs, and more. They used their vehicles to make a lot of noise of joy.
Those in the latter category included members of American Legion Post 95 who rode motorcycles and members of the Oro Dam Cruiser, some of whom rode 1937 Chevrolet pickup trucks. Some people revved their engines and “burned out,” including Oroville residents Scott and Jennifer LaFavor. Rubber,” he said, to the delight of the crowd.
Joe Nichols of Chico and John Rivers of Oroville shared grand marshal duties for the parade. Mr. Rivers is a U.S. Army veteran who is active in the town’s veterans group, and Mr. Nichols is a former Navy veteran and member of the Chico Noon Exchange Club. According to current parade officer Kevin Zeitler, he has been involved with the parade for many years, and in 2013 he received the nation’s highest award, “Exchange of the Year,” for his accomplishments within the organization. It is said that he received an award.
“Voice of Oroville” Jim Mohr served as emcee for the parade and introduced participants in the parking lot next to the Oroville Chamber of Commerce headquarters.
Chico resident Richard Muller combined automotive nostalgia with a military service memorabilia by driving a 1929 Ford Model A closed-cab pickup with a high-shine finish. Mueller, who rode as part of the joint entry Oroville Golden Feather A and Chico A, reported serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1965 to 1970.
A band made up of a joint studio group from Central Middle School and Ishi Hills Middle School, as well as independent groups from Stream Charter School and Nelson Avenue Middle School, created music for the audience.
Entries from the Oroville Police Department, Oroville Fire Department, Cal Fire and Plumas National Forest represented government agencies, as well as the Oroville City Council and Butte County Supervisor Bill Connelly.
Veteran groups such as the 1747 Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1774 AMVET Post, Veterans Adventures, and Butte County Composite Squadron 95 also participated.
Zeitler said he has been organizing the parade for “about 35 years” but doesn’t know what year the event began.
Chico
Veterans Day celebrations at the Chico Elks Lodge included a speech by guest of honor, Navy veteran John Herbert, and a flag-lined driveway to offer a patriotic greeting to arriving visitors .
The event featured the Chico Community Concert Band playing patriotic music and a military salute. Attendees were provided with free hot dogs and beans after the program, which included a traditional “Taps” performance.
Chico Veterans of Foreign Wars since 1555 hoisted 200 American flags in front of the Chico Cemetery on Mangrove Avenue Saturday morning. Members of the group retrieved them in the afternoon.