Mesquite Lines Blvd. To Honor Veterans

By AMY DAVIS

The Progress

It was a beautiful, sunny day as the community of Mesquite gathered on Mesquite Blvd. to honor its veterans. On Saturday, November 6, Mesquite Blvd was closed off to through traffic in for the annual Veterans Day Parade.

This year’s parade was especially meaningful to local residents because last year’s parade was not held because of health restrictions surrounding the pandemic.

The honor of Grand Marshall went to Brian D. Cornett who is a retired Major from the US Air Force. Cornett served from 1952 to 1976 as a cryptanalysis as well as an instructor in that field. Cornett also volunteers with Mesquite Works, the BPOE Lodge #2811, and he teaches non-credit courses at CSN in Creative Writing. He is a life member of the VFW, American Legion, and MOAA.

This year’s parade coordinator Kristina Stevens talked about what an important role the parade plays in the community. “We just want to make sure our veterans know that we care about them and that we love them,” Stevens said.

Stevens is a retired Master Sargent of Combat Rescue in the U.S. Air Force.
“I sure didn’t do this on my own,” Stevens added of the parade. “It took many hands to make this parade possible. We had a lot of whiskey and a lot of fun. The Elk’s lodge was invaluable in getting this parade up and running and, of course, our Mayor.”

Steven’s also said that parade day is a great day to bring awareness about local services provided in Mesquite for veterans. “A lot of people don’t know about the VFW and the Mesquite Veteran’s Center,” she said.

In total, 43 floats participated in the patriotic event including Vietnam Veterans of America Post 993, Mesquite American Legion, VFW Post 7385 of Mesquite, VFW post 8336 of Overton, and Women Veterans of Nevada, just to name a few.

“We also had the Bonanza Bangles ROTC come out from Vegas,” Stevens said. “We love when we can get them out here.”

The Lady Vets from Nevada also came and participated, as did the women from Ms. Senior Mesquite, and Mrs. Nevada American.
“It was a really great turn out,” Stevens said. “I am so thankful for everyone who made this parade possible.”

Nevada State Assemblywoman Annie Black said that she was proud to walk with the veterans in the parade as her float played Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” for the crowd.
“I am so proud to walk with and represent the Veteran’s of my district,” Black said. “They have given up so much for our country and they deserve to be honored. I will continue the fight to get them what they need.”

Black concluded by saying, “Special thanks to all the vets who joined me in the parade today, Especially Bob Wright, Korean War veteran, my friend and the eldest (funnest) vet in the parade.”
Of Bob Wright’s participation in the parade his daughter, Pamela Mallet stated, “What a wonderful day. My dad felt like a celebrity. He had the time of his life.”