CSM

13 November 2023 

This week-end past was Veterans Day (11 November 2023). The Day we remember our Veterans but also give Thanks to all Veterans for their sacrifices they perform in their service to our County. 

This year's Merced County’s Veterans Day Parade was a letdown. Merced City with a population of over 80 thousand residents was lucky to draw around 180 individuals including the fan fair of politicians in attendance and 180 is probably more than what was really there. This event [as always] centered around Bob Hart Square but the citizens lining the streets only covered [sparsely] from “L” Street – down Main Street to “Canal” Street – totaling one city block. 

This year event seems more like a campaign opportunity for the politicians that attended the Merced County Veterans Day Parade. There was a Congressman, an Assembly Women; a couple of other Officials - along with all the Board of Supervisors for Merced County were present at Bob Hart Square. The Host, which was from the Veterans’ Service Office - read extensive Biographies of the politicians and of the Board of Supervisor(s) on what they claim they have accomplished for Veterans in Merced County. 

I find it interesting the Board of Supervisors could not come up with an equitable solution for the Safe and Secure use of the Memorial Building for all Veterans and Veteran Organizations. All that resulted from months of conversations with the Board of Supervisor Members was to have a VFW Chapter end its Membership and close down its Chapter in Merced. Yet on the Day for Veterans we have officials campaigning - claiming what they say they have done for Veterans. 

The only satisfying occasions of this year’s Veteran’s Day Parade were the three Grand Marshals who were selected and recognized for their Military Service and were given a Plaque and several Certificates to each one of them. After the quick presentation to the Grand Marshals and the extensive time used for campaigning by the politicians they all hopped onto a float and several cars and drove up and down [one block] of Main Street. 

With the small and disappointing turn out on this day – the Board of Supervisor and the Politicians could have and should have walked up and down both sides of the street asking for Veterans attending which they (the politicians) could have extended their appreciation and Thank You to those Veterans. Now, if that would have happened even with the lack of preparation [community involvement] and attendance – this could have been a Veterans Day Parade to remember – but it was not! 

Command Sergeant Major said………………………….