A salute to our veterans

Just a few months ago, the future of the Northbay Veterans Day Parade looked uncertain due to financial problems, but thanks to an outpouring of community support, the 20th anniversary parade is back on and expected to be bigger than ever.

The Northbay Veterans Day Parade is the largest of its kind in Northern California and attracts up to 7,000 spectators, but Steve Kemmerle, American Legion Post 28 commander and parade organizer, said that crowds of up to 10,000 are expected for this year’s event.

“This is going to be the biggest parade we’ve ever had,” said Kemmerle. “And I think the crowd is going to be unbelievable this time.”

Earlier this year, plans for the parade hit a snag when Petaluma city officials announced they could no longer afford police overtime and other expenses associated with the parade, and asked the American Legion to come up with about $12,500 to cover the cost of having one sergeant, six officers and others to handle various services at the Wednesday, Nov. 11 event.

The American Legion Post No. 28’s inability to foot the bill meant that the group was seriously considering canceling the parade.

A call for help went out this summer from the American Legion, and locals quickly responded.

Friedman Brothers, the home improvement center that got its start in Petaluma in 1946, contributed $6,250. Merlone Geier Partners, the firm proposing to build Deer Creek Village on North McDowell Boulevard at Rainier, pledged $7,500.

HobbyTown USA, Powell’s SweetShoppe and a number of other local businesses stepped in to help as well, along with individuals who sent in donations of anywhere from $50 to $200.

“The community really stepped up to help,” said Kemmerle. “It’s been wonderful. The community has been so very supportive.”

The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. in downtown Petaluma and will feature more than 70 entries and hundreds of participants in veterans walking groups, marching bands, military vehicles, motorcycles, antique cars and trucks and even a mounted sheriff’s posse.

Grand Marshal for the parade is Army Lt. Col. Steve Countouriotis, a Petaluma resident who served multiple tours of duty flying Blackhawk helicopters in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

One of the highlights of this year’s parade is a T-34 Russian Tank and a Russian M-85 artillery piece, which the National Guard will carry on a low-bed truck. The tank is owned by local filmmaker Hans Beerbaum.

Petaluma-based CamelBak is spon-soring the appearance of a Huey helicopter, which will participate in a flyover of the parade, along with Yak vintage planes and a P-51 Mustang.

After the parade, there will be a Veterans Day ceremony in Walnut Park featuring music, Mayor Pamela Torliatt and other guest speakers. The national anthem and “God Bless America” will be sung by Petaluma High School sophomore Eleni Papageorgacopoulos.

A hot dog lunch sponsored by Raley’s will be held after the parade at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. South.

Anyone wishing to support the Northbay Veterans Day Parade and its future parades may send donations to: American Legion Post 28, P.O. Box 618, Petaluma 94953.

For more information, visit www.petalumaveteransflyin.com.

(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier. com)