The Arcata Town Council discussed the question of whether to call off their 1991 Veterans Day Parade. Veterans Day Parade Commander John Groby asked Terrance Brown what the Native Americans wanted to do. He responded that they would march to honor America’s Veterans regardless of the town’s decision. And they marched in the Petaluma Veterans Day Parade with a ceremonial redwood dugout canoe to honor veterans.
The tradition continues this Nov. 11 with the largest Native American Veteran parade contingent ever. The Petaluma parade starts at noon with music at the gazebo in Walnut Park (D Street and Petaluma Boulevard) in Petaluma. The parade begins at 1 p.m. and concludes with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and speakers of the day in Walnut Park at 2:45 p.m.
Terrance “Chitcus” Brown, a Marine who served in 1965-68, said “Native American Veterans from Oregon and Nevada are joining us. From California, they’re coming in from Susanville, Sacramento, and San Jose to march in honor of those that served and those that are serving today.”
Brown is head of the American Indian Preservation Fund, which is sponsoring the contingent. The AIPF is a Native American Veteran nonprofit helping fellow Veterans, Native American Veterans, and their families receive the benefits they earned from their service. It organizes fundraisers, supports working with the Veterans Administration and other agencies, participates in Northern and Southern California Veteran events, and provides Tribal Pathways cultural events for schools and community service organizations.
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