Download this page in PDF formatYucca Valley, Ca.- What are you doing 50 days from today? Already made your plans to enter another parade in Palm Springs because Yucca Valley canceled their Veterans Parade?
At their regular meeting this evening, the Yucca Valley Town Council was ‘mum’ and could not discuss the cancelled Veterans Day Parade. Their Town Attorney warned this item was not on the agenda and it would be a violation for them hold any discussion. This parade would have taken place this year in our town on November 11, 2010, because the traditional tribute to our veterans is shared with the City of Twentynine Palms on alternate years.
During public comments, I brought up the subject of the Town canceling the Parade. Moments before I spoke, it was mentioned that Staff had prepared a brief power point to explain the ‘New and Improved Tribute’ that has been in the planning stages without any parade, apparently, without the knowledge of our elected Town Council Members, Veterans or our citizens.
Community Director Jim Schooler stated in his power point, it would save the town $7,000 to eliminate the parade part of the celebration. He stated it was an inconvenience to the merchants and when the parade entries arrive at the Community Center, they take up space at the parking lot. Staff had a vision of setting up the Community Center parking lot very similar to the Grubstakes setup with the events taking place in one area near the Community Stage that would feature the Chuck Miller Band, Community BBQ, Guest speakers, military static display and a flag folding ceremony….without the traditional parade.
In order not to violate the Brown Act, this vision was presented to the Town Council as a ‘Staff Report’ and there could not be any comment on the matter unless it was put on the agenda for their next Town Council meeting. Only the new Town Manager, Mark Nuaimi, would be able to call a special meeting to discuss the return of the Veteran’s Parade because, according to Mayor Chad Mayes, there is no mechanism for any Town Council Member to call a Special Meeting about this. While not being able to discuss bringing back the parade, there were several head nods to indicate the Council wanted to bring this back to the table, ASAP.
Nuaimi stated it was probably too late because “most people have probably made other plans” and referenced that Palm Springs has an annual Veteran’s Day Parade. Excuse me? I am not going to drive down the hill to Palm Springs. Are you? We are home to the largest military base and there are many Veterans living here in our Basin. We may be a little town but we have big hearts.
My friend, Vietnam Veteran Jimm and his family purchased a special Jeep Willy with trailer just for their entry in this parade. The YV Republican Women set up a committee in May to decorate their entry for the Veteran’s Parade. I was looking forward to our Vietnam Veterans proudly marching like they did last May at Grubstakes. A traditional hometown parade honoring our Vets returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, World War II and like my husband, a Vet from the Korean War…..50 days away…too late??
This is a good time to bring everyone back together after the Elections to remember and honor those who made it possible for us to live in a free country. It makes me sad to think our local merchants feel the parade would be an inconvenience to them and that Staff would cut this traditional parade out of their budget of $350,000.00.
Thank you to all the men and women in uniform for your service to our Country. As I see it, it’s never too late to honor our Veterans with a Parade.
God Bless America and God Bless our Veterans!
It’s Never Too Late To Honor Our Veterans with a Parade,
Hi Margo, that is an excellent article and so very disappointing about the parade. Our tractor club had planned to be in it with several entries flying the American flag, they willl be upset.
Breaking tradition isn’t necessarily dishonoring our vets, nor does having a $350,000 budget warrant spending the money.
The city should allow the permits should a group take up the event. No need not to show up. Find a different place to congregate. Church parking lot? Walmart? Phelps? There may be some insurance requirements which could be covered by private donations. Don’t know what labor would be involved, but speaking for myself as well as others, I have much more time than money.
On the subject sort of. Do you know that big slab of concrete they placed by the highway going down the hill to the lower desert? Every time I pass that I think it would be a great place to paint a tribute. Too bad it’s not on the way up.
While i think the center divider wall at the top of the upper grade looks like hell, it is I suppose for the safety of morons who do not watch the road. Now painting shit on the dividing wall would sort of defeat the purpose, don’t you think?
It would weed out the bad drivers before they got into town..
I meant the slab that was placed on the north side for erosion control. That way they’ll just run off the road…I know it could be a liability as well.
I see all these white buses as well as returning vets coming up the hill. It would be nice if there was a permanent welcome sign memorializing all that came before them.
I don’t care who you are that’s funny.
The South side of “The Wall” has been marked with grafiti.
I didn’t think it would take to long. Not exactly the welcome I was thinking of.
Now if you painted something like this on it…
http://www.crwflags.com/art/mil/misc/98038.jpg
The delinquents might be a little more respect or if nothing else a little more fear.
The art community should turn those illegal artist in.
So true Desertrider……. They are all responsible for the actions of those illegal artists. we should move to have all public art made illegal. If these artist thugs can not control those that desecrate our environment they must be held accountable.
I have heard stories of them even painting the shells of tortoises. we definitely need to protect public lands from artists, that is just good common sense.
This was about honoring the vets.
I doubt local merchants feel the parade would be an inconvenience to them. Perhaps one may have expressed that, but is that the sentiment? I don’t think so.
No parade, no honor.An insult to active and military veterans and their families. It’s a done deal, bureaucracy prevails. What happend to the ‘can do’ spirit? The council lacks spirit. How many of them were in the service?