LOCAL

Alamogordo honors veterans during 2018 Veterans Day Parade

Duane Barbati
Alamogordo Daily News
Hollman Air Force Honor Guard leds Alamogordo's Veterans Day Parade Saturday.

Alamogordo residents lined 10th Street to honor and pay tribute to the many men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation’s freedoms.

They also honored the many men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at the Alamogordo Veterans Day Parade Saturday.

The Lincoln/Otero Counties Veterans Leadership Council and the Alamogordo Evening Lions Club hosted the 2018 Veterans Day Parade that traveled from Oregon Avenue onto 10th Street then turned down New York Avenue.

Alamogordo Mayor Richard Boss said he was honored to participate in the Veterans Day Parade.

“I had the honor Saturday of participating in the Veterans Day Parade,” Boss said. “Despite the cloudy skies and chilly air, there was a lot of people lining the parade route. My wife Kim and I were transported in a Mustang provided by John and Cathy Gilsdorf.”

Holloman 49th Wing Commander Col. Joseph Campo, his wife Sarah and daughters Kayla and Hailey rode in the led vehicle at Alamogordo's Veterans Day Parade Saturday.

He said Veterans Day is a way to honor our veterans and active military men and women.

“Veterans Day is a special day in Alamogordo,” Boss said. “We live amongst many active military, retired military and veterans. Today we are recognizing those who served our country in the Armed Forces and in many ways have given their lives protecting our nation and other countries in the world. It’s a special time of remembrance and gratitude for those who protect and defend our homes, our families, our country and our way of life. We respect them every day, but Veterans Day is the day we set aside to specifically honor them.”

Parade coordinator Richard McElderry said he had 32 entries in Saturday’s parade.

“It was a great parade,” McElderry said. “We were very well pleased with it. The parade was as about as long as it usually is, but we had less entries this year. Normally we have 40 or 45 but we only had 32. The people said it was 30 minutes long that’s as long as any other ones have been.”

Alamogordo High School's Junior ROTC marched down 10th Street during Alamogordo's Veterans Day Parade Saturday.

He said when the Lincoln/Otero Counties Veterans Leadership Council formed about 12 years ago, they decided to host the Veterans Day Parade.

“I told the guys…we can put on a Veterans Day parade to say thank you to all the veterans and let the community express their thanks by showing up or being in the parade,” McElderry said. “That’s what we do. There’s no entry fee and the parade is not judged.”

McElderry is a 30-year U.S. Air Force veteran.

“It’s always nice to know that’s a way for people not in the military can show their thanks and respect for the military folks,” he said. “Alamogordo is such a large community of military past and present that we thought it would be a good idea to do it. I always want to say thanks to the people who participated and the people who were along street watching the parade, and the rest of my team help put it together and set it up.”

Tularosa’s Veterans Memorial Ceremony honoring all veterans is today at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park on Bookout Road in Tularosa.

“The 11th month, 11th day, the 11th hour has significance because of the Armistice signed for World War I,” McElderry said. “We try to keep that tradition alive.”