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144th Fighter Wing Celebrates Veterans Day

By SMSgt. Chris Drudge, 144th Fighter Wing/PA / Published November 16, 2011

Congressman Jim Costa, 20th District, shakes the hand of the 144th Fighter Wing's newest recruit, Joshua De Leon. Joshua enlisted into the Calif. Air National Guard on Nov. 11, 2011 prior to the start of the largest Veterans Day Parade west of the Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)
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Congressman Jim Costa, 20th District, shakes the hand of the 144th Fighter Wing's newest recruit, Joshua De Leon. Joshua enlisted into the Calif. Air National Guard on Nov. 11, 2011 prior to the start of the largest Veterans Day Parade west of the Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)

Members of the 144th FighterWing's Student Flight, California Air National Guard, carry the wing's banner through the streets of downtown Fresno during the 92nd Annual Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2011. The wing had more than 30 volunteers and 13 vehicles in the parade stretching the length of a football field. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)
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Members of the 144th FighterWing's Student Flight, California Air National Guard, carry the wing's banner through the streets of downtown Fresno during the 92nd Annual Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2011. The wing had more than 30 volunteers and 13 vehicles in the parade stretching the length of a football field. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)

F-16 fighter aircraft from the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, fly over head at the start of the Veterans Day Parade in Fresno, Calif. on Nov. 11, 2011. This is the 92nd year for the parade and is considered to be the largest event of its kind west of the Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)
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F-16 fighter aircraft from the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, fly over head at the start of the Veterans Day Parade in Fresno, Calif. on Nov. 11, 2011. This is the 92nd year for the parade and is considered to be the largest event of its kind west of the Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nakia Weis from the 144th Medical Group, California Air National Guard, greets a young spectator during the 92nd Annual Fresno Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2011. The parade is considered to be the largest Veterans Day event west of the Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nakia Weis from the 144th Medical Group, California Air National Guard, greets a young spectator during the 92nd Annual Fresno Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2011. The parade is considered to be the largest Veterans Day event west of the Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)

U.S. Air Force Colonel Clay Garrison, 144th Fighter Wing Vice Commander, and Chief Master Sergeant James Layne, 144th Security Forces Squadron Superintendent, shake hands with several children watching the 92nd Fresno Veterans Day Parade. The parade is considered the largest event of its kind west of the Mississippi with over 9,000 volunteers and participants. (U.S. air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)
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U.S. Air Force Colonel Clay Garrison, 144th Fighter Wing Vice Commander, and Chief Master Sergeant James Layne, 144th Security Forces Squadron Superintendent, shake hands with several children watching the 92nd Fresno Veterans Day Parade. The parade is considered the largest event of its kind west of the Mississippi with over 9,000 volunteers and participants. (U.S. air Force photo by SMSgt. Chris Drudge)

U.S. Air Force Colonel Sami Said, 144th Fighter Wing Commander, California Air National Guard, waves to the spectators as he walks in the 92nd Annual Fresno Veterans Day Parade. The parade is considered the largest event of its kind west of the Mississippi with over 9,000 participants and volunteers. (U.S. Air Force photo SMSgt Chris Drudge)
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U.S. Air Force Colonel Sami Said, 144th Fighter Wing Commander, California Air National Guard, waves to the spectators as he walks in the 92nd Annual Fresno Veterans Day Parade. The parade is considered the largest event of its kind west of the Mississippi with over 9,000 participants and volunteers. (U.S. Air Force photo SMSgt Chris Drudge)

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California Air National Guard Base Fresno -- More than 9,000 veterans and volunteers celebrated the day by participating in the 92nd Annual Veterans Day Parade held in Fresno, Calif.

The parade is the largest event celebrating Veterans Day west of the Mississippi River.

Just before the parade kicked off, Joshua De Leon was sworn in to the Calif. Air National Guard by Capt. Heather Yamamoto, 144th Force Support Squadron Commander, while Congressman Jim Costa, 20th District, observed.

Booming cannons, the national anthem and a fly over with 4 F-16 fighter aircraft from the 144th Fighter Wing started off the parade where thousands of spectators lined the streets of downtown Fresno.

"The parade was awesome, awesome as always," said Tech. Sgt. Manuel Olmos, the parade facilitator for the 144th Fighter Wing. "Being out here, participating in this parade is a big honor."

The 144th Fighter Wing had over 30 volunteers and 13 vehicles spanning the length of a football field following the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on the parade route.

The Christmas tree was cut from the mountains above Sonora and was on its way to Washington, D.C. before its stop in Fresno.

People from all over the valley came to enjoy the event and give a salute to the veterans from here and abroad who put their lives on the line to keep our country free.

"I am honored to be participating in the parade," said Capt. Michael Yamamoto of the 144th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "It was a great outpouring of the Fresno community showing their support for all the veterans throughout the valley."

This year's parade was broadcast over the Pentagon Channel into millions of homes across the U.S. and to over 370 military installations throughout the world via satellite.