Airmen march in local parade

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Betty R. Chevalier
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Davis-Monthan Airmen marched in the annual Veterans Day Parade in Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 11.

Forty Airmen from around base volunteered to participate in the event to include Col. Michael Rawls, 355th Fighter Wing vice commander and Chief Master Sgt. Dawna
Cnota, 355th Fighter Wing command chief.

Veterans Day, formally Armistice Day, was originated to honor World War I veterans as stated in the Act of 1938. After being through World War II and the Korean War, Congress amended the act removing the word "Armistice" and replacing it with "Veteran". From then on November 11 became known as Veterans Day, and was recognized by the federal government.

"It makes me proud to be in the Air Force," said Airman 1st Class Seth Jaeger, 355th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion apprentice. "We take time to be involved in the community and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Watching the parade and the Service members march in their blues, left some veterans in tears.

"This is good exposure to civilians," said retired Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Ray Narvez, a Cessna A-37 Dragonfly mechanic who did two tours during the Vietnam War. "It's good to see they appreciate what we do and have done, and they get to see the pride Service members have."