riversideca.gov

Bryan Suits To Be Grand Marshal of the 12th Annual A Salute to Veterans Parade and Expo

Published: 09/22/2017




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

            September 22, 2017

           

Contact:

Jeffrey Crumbaker

Chairman, A Salute to Veterans Parade and Expo Committee

951-682-1352

patriciang2@aol.com

 

Bryan Suits To Be Grand Marshal of the 12th Annual A Salute to Veterans Parade and Expo

The parade is scheduled for November 18, 2017

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Inland Empire A Salute to Veterans Parade Committee announces Bryan Suits as Grand Marshal of the 12th Annual A Salute to Veterans Parade and Expo.  The parade is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, November 18, 2017 in downtown Riverside.

Bryan Suits is an American war veteran who has served in Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Iraqi Freedom.

Suits enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1989 and served in Operation Desert Storm as a medic.  In 1998, he was deployed as a member of the Oregon Army National Guard to Bosnia as part of Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR), a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force.  In 2002, he attended Officer Candidate School and received his commission.

As a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, Washington Army National Guard, he deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in Iraq.  Lieutenant Suits also collected rubber boots from his radio show listeners and distributed them to Iraqi children.

He has been a talk radio host for more than 10 years in Seattle, San Diego, and Los Angeles and is also a regular contributor on Fox Business News.  He currently hosts a weekly Sunday show on KFI AM 640.

A Salute to Veterans Parade and Expo honors veterans of all ages and eras.  The parade celebrates those men and women who served to protect the freedoms that we treasure.  Since 2005, A Salute to Veterans Parade and Expo has been successful with thousands of participants, and even more in attendance.  Parades over the past years have featured over 100 entries that included marching bands, fly-overs, equestrian units, color guards, marching units, antique cars, military vehicles, floats, and of course, veterans.

This year, for the first time, an expo that will include static displays and organizations whose services or products are of unique interest and value to veterans, will take place near the Riverside County Courthouse immediately following the parade.

In addition, there will be a themed fundraising dinner on Wednesday, November 15th, now the City’s official Veterans’ Week, at Riverside’s Historic Camp Anza.  Camp Anza served as a staging area during World War II and has been refurbished to all of its original charm to provide affordable housing for veterans.

Performing at this year’s parade are (partial list):

Southern California Patriot Guard Riders

Sgt. Caesar

USS Bonefish Base-US Submarine Vets, Inc.

El Bekal Shrine (Anaheim)

Home Instead Senior Care

San Gabriel Valley Young Marines

La Sierra High School California Cadet Corps.

Blue Star Mothers H.O.M.E., CA30

Mayor William R. Bailey, III

Riverside City Council Ward 1 Mike Gardner

Riverside City Fire Department

Riverside City Council Ward 4 Chuck Conder

Poss and Sons / Tap Enterprises

Mountain Quilters of Idyllwild

Buford Johnson Tuskegee Airman Chapter

Spirit of 45 Unity Tour & Kissing Statue

Riverside City Council Ward 6 Jim Perry

Riverside County Sheriff Hazardous Device Team

 

The parade committee continues to seek sponsors, volunteers, expo participants, groups interested in hosting viewing parties and parade participants.  Those that are interested in contributing to this important event are encouraged to contact Jeffrey Crumbaker at patriciang2@aol.com. 

Additional information is available by following updates on Instagram (@salutetovets) and liking the parade’s Facebook page – 12th Annual A Salute to Veterans Parade & Expo.

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