The downtown parade and ceremony, a 106-year tradition, will take place Nov. 11 thanks to quick action by a team of community leaders.
The San Jose Police Honor Guard marches during the Veterans Day Parade in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. — the largest such celebration in Northern California and a 106-year tradition — would probably be canceled this year. And that just didn’t sit right with Watts, a retired U.S. Army colonel and president of the Silicon Valley chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.
So Watts huddled with former San Jose City Councilmember Raul Peralez to plot a strategy for raising the estimated $80,000 funding need, and make sure that veterans groups, marching bands, scouting units and elected officials all knew the parade would roll through downtown San Jose as usual on Nov. 11. The ad hoc group quickly widened beyond the two of them, as did the pledges for dollars.
By Thursday night, the group — including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Cole Cameron, chair of the Santa Clara County Veterans Commission — had whittled the gap to about $30,000, which included a cushion for unexpected costs. That number came down significantly Friday when developer and philanthropist Chuck Toeniskoetter pledged $10,000 to the effort.
Artist Lila Gemellos works on a mural paying homage to the Valley of Heart's Delight on Notre Dame Avenue in downtown San Jose on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Farm animals are part of a mural paying homage to the Valley of Heart's Delight being painted by artist Lila Gemellos on Notre Dame Avenue in downtown San Jose.
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