Celebrating Those Who Served

By CORINNE MESSER

The Progress

VFW Post 8336 commander Darcy Bushman waves to the crowd as he rides with fellow veterans in the Moapa Valley Veterans Day Parade last Saturday. PHOTO BY TRENT ROBISON/The Progress

Moapa Valley honored its military veterans on Friday, Nov. 11 with a parade down Overton’s main street and a community picnic immediately following at Overton Park.

Sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elwood Perkins Post 8336 with help from the MV Chamber of Commerce, this annual Veterans Day Parade began at 10am with flyovers by local pilots Tim DeBerardinis and Greg Witter in their Cherokee airplanes.

The parade was announced by Rick Houston and Kasen Kohlhoss who were stationed at mid point in front of the InfoWest office.

The Civil Air Patrol led the parade, followed by local Metro officers, the Nevaday Highway Patrol.
This year’s Parade Grand Marshal was local veteran Larry Griffiths. Griffiths has spent a lifetime of service to his country and done a great deal of service to this community.

Parade Grand Marshall Larry Griffiths rides with his wife Sue in the back of a Model T driven by Gary Robison during the annual Veterans Day Parade held on Saturday in downtown Overton. PHOTO BY TRENT ROBISON/The Progress

A youngster rides with pride in the annual Veterans Day Parade on the main street in Overton last week. PHOTO BY TRENT ROBISON/The Progress

He was followed by the VFW Commander and Post members. Some of our local veterans even rode on the float including Ralph Healy, Phillip Mullins, Darcy Bushman, and Bryant Robison to name a few.

The MVHS marching band presented lively patriotic music with Pirate Motion following close behind.
A long procession of local businesses, fancy cars and other attractions followed.
The W. Mack Lyon cheerleaders and Marinette’s dance team did acrobatics and dances along the parade route.

The Veterans Day parade was led this year by the members of the Civil Air Patrol. PHOTO BY TRENT ROBISON/The Progress

Grant Bowler Elementary students ride and walk the parade route during the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday last week. PHOTO BY TRENT ROBISON/The Progress

A number of local dance programs were highlighted including Fusion Dance Team, Muddy River Cloggers, Clark County Parks and Rec Dancers, and the Moapa Valley Tumbling Team.

There was also the 4-H Teen Leadership Corps (TLC), floats created by the Solomon Family, Lake Mead Baptist Church, Mustang Spirit of America Horses, the Wild West Jeep Club, Southern NV Racers Association, and Moapa Valley FFA.

The Cheyenne High School JROTC marches with dignity and precision in last week’s Veterans Day Parade. PHOTO BY TRENT ROBISON/The Progress

Moapa Valley Family Dental entered a patriotic float in last week’s Veterans Day Parade . PHOTO BY TRENT ROBISON/The Progress

The Moapa Valley Cinderella Pageant winners were in attendance as well as the Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo Queen and Princess.

Local businesses in the parade included Valley Pediatric Dental, The Inside Scoop, Sommers Team/Wardley Real Estate, Clea’s Moapa Valley Realty, Abbot Plumbing Services, America First Credit Union, Ellson’s Shop, Moapa Valley Family Dental and more. As always, Simplot Silica impressed the crowd with huge earthmoving equipment driving down main street.

Volunteers from the Moapa Valley FFA helped served up a picnic lunch in Overton Park immediately after the parade. The lunch was provided by MV Chamber of Commerce and cooked by the MV Rotary Club. PHOTO BY CORINNE MESSER/The Progress

The MV Fire District vehicles brought up the rear of the parade with blaring sirens, signaling the parade was ending.

A great addition to the parade was the Cheyenne High School JROTC and Veterans Tribute Career & Tech Academy. Dressed in uniform and marching in straight lines, this group was an impressive sight to see.

Local youth, Rowdy, Axel and Raedyn said their parade favorites were Valley Pediatric’s big tooth float, the Razors, and the candy that was thrown. Pam Duvall said she was glad the MVHS band was back in the parade after a three-year absence due to the complexities of COVID restrictions.

Immediately following the parade was the community picnic at Overton Park. The Moapa Valley Vocal Chords, a local youth choir led by Shelby Brandon, sang the National Anthem.

MV Chamber sponsored the picnic and the MV Rotary cooked hamburgers which were served by young volunteers from the Moapa Valley Chapter of the FFA.

One of the veterans at the picnic was Claron Jorgensen who was visiting family from Idaho. Now in his 90s, Jorgensen served 20 years in the military, flying a C-124, an American heavy-lift cargo aircraft. He said his aircraft was used to transport tanks, helicopters and other heavy equipment as needed. He served in the Korean conflict and Vietnam War.

Darcy Bushman, VFW Post 8336 Commander, felt the day went smoothly. “I’d like to thank the whole community for coming out today,” Bushman said.
He also gave special thanks to Chamber of Commerce member Lori Houston for coordinating the parade, and veterans Sterling Akers and Phillip Mullins for their help.

Bushman and Houston were very appreciative of the VFW Post 8336, the Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bernie Conrique, and members Pam Duvall, Kasen Kohlhoss Amy Johnson, and Vanette Christensen, the Rotary Club lead by President Suzy Bennett, and the FFA members who volunteered their time.

“Without the hard work, time, and money our community’s volunteers donate, events like this would not be possible,” said Lori Houston.