Veteran's Day Parade - 2006

About the Parade

This year we recognize our Women Veterans by honoring them as our nation's "Secret Weapon".

I believe that it is especially important to remember today the women who have paved the way for today's modern military women. Women who joined the military, dedicated their lives in service to our country, and made tremendous sacrifices to defend the freedom we all hold so dear.

On this day 1 would also like to remember all the brave Men and Women, 01 of our Veterans who have served our country selflessly over the generations.

We are today a nation at war in a world of political unrest, nuclear threats and terrorism.

So remember those who have fought, those who fight ..... remember those who dedicated their lives to protect our nation, our freedom.

Today .... take the time .... to thank a Veteran, remember the sacrifices they made.....shake their hand, pat their back .... and if they are a war veteran of any era, give them the heroes welcome they have all earned.

Karyn Damian
US Army Veteran, 1st Cavalry Division
Veterans Day Parade Co-Chairperson

A BRIEF HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY

Known at the tune as "The Great War", World War I - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 in Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied Nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, therefore is generally regarded as the end of the "war to end all wars".

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. Armistice Day officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. Veterans

2006 Grand Marshals

Joan De Munbrun

Joan DeMunbrun enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in December 1942, joining thousands of other women who reported for Basic Training at the Army's first training center for women, Fort Des Moines, IA and attained the rank of Sergeant before her discharge on Thanksgiving Day 1945. During her enlistment Joan was assigned to the first company of 125 women to go to the field from Eagle Pass Army Air Base, Eagle Pass, Texas, an advanced single-engine (AT-6) flying school, activated in 1942 and later converted to a basic flight school.

Joan was later assigned to the Army Air Force Photography School, Lowry Field, Colorado where she received photographic training and became the only WAC Staff Instructor for the operation and maintenance of aerial cameras. As an instructor Joan was able to see the war through photographs of the battlefield that came to Lowry from airplane gun cam­eras and from the stories of her students, mostly men, and many former POWs.

Joan studied photography for 2 years at the Fred Archer School of Photography in Los Angeles, was a the staff photographer at New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, and was the photographer for the 1949 50th anniversary convention of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. Her photographs can be seen in the Rough Rider Museum.

In 2000 she became a resident of the Veteran's Home of California, Chula Vista. Joan has enjoyed sixty years as an active member of the American Legion and is the founder of Legion Post 867 at the Veterans Home; she is also a member of the WAC Veterans Association, San Diego Mission Chapter 50. Joan counts as one of her many accomplishments, being named Legionnaire of the Year 2003.

Assemblywoman Shirley Horton nominated her for this year's Veteran of the Year. Joan is vibrant, active and an inspiration to all who meet her and "grateful to say, I am 93 years old."

Vivian Eddy

Even before she had a driver's license, Vivian Eddy had a pilot's license. Eddy didn't care that many people thought women shouldn't fly, and she saw World War II as an opportunity to prove them wrong. About a year before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Eddy, then 19, saw in a government-sponsored flight training program a perfect vehicle to do just that.

Eddy, 85, a Coronado resident, is one of the true American "heroes" and America's Greatest Secret Weapons (although you may have caught the article about her in the Union Trib that supplied these facts & photos U-T, 9/11/06, Melissa Domsic,).

Eddy graduated 5th in her class, despite the expected ration of resentment, and upon graduation from flight school transferred from Community College to UC Berkley . During her studies at Berkley (12/7/41) prompted by the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she quit school and took employment as a typist at the Santa Ana Army Air Base. Sure - she wanted to be a pilot - who didn't? Sure - she couldn't type - who could? She was there to fly, and fly she would!

"I'll never forget when one of my co-workers came running down the hall and said, 'Viv, Viv, they're hiring women,'" Eddy said.

In 1943, Eddy joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, a quasi-military unit that ferried military aircraft and supplies nationwide.

Eddy's first mission was to fly obsolete trainer planes to the junkyard. The men refused to fly these planes, she said, because they were considered dangerous. You've come a long way, but it appears, someone agreed.

We salute our brave women of the American Military!!!

Veteran of the Year

Robert D. White, CAPT, United States Navy Retired

CAPT White enlisted in the Navy in 1960 and served 35 years of active duty rising to the rank of Petty Officer Fist Class before being selected for commissioning as part of the Navy's NESEP program in 1968.

He completed OCS and Naval Flight Officer Training and was assigned to VP-16 flying P-3 aircraft. He then served in numerous operational assignments, completed advanced degree programs in Computer Systems Management and Strategic Studies, and commanded NAS Misawa, Japan. He retired in 1995 with over 4,000 hours as a Naval Flight Officer and completed additional training in computers, Internet and Visual Arts.

He is the Chairman, Chula Vista Veterans Home Support Foundation and in this capacity lead efforts to raise over $100,000 in support, gained additional sources of revenue and was active in community support activities and served on several Chula Vista City commissions.

Capt. White is a member of numerous organizations and has been responsible for the enhancement of the quality of life for many veterans and their loved ones.

His unselfish dedication to the community, illustrious military career and leadership mark him as a unique individual and highly representative of the veteran's community.

2006 Veterans Day Parade Committee

  • Karyn Damian (Co-Chairperson)
  • Joe Brunner (Co-Chairperson)
  • Scott Langhoff
  • Sarah Young
  • Dawn Williams
  • Jerry Cisinsky
  • John Weaver
  • Robert Lewis
  • John Culea
  • Ruth Deye
  • Bill Paxton
  • Bea Waggett
  • Kerri Damian
  • Clint Steed