Oceanside, San Diego Plan Parades for Troops

The cities of San Diego and Oceanside unveiled plans Thursday to welcome home troops of the Persian Gulf War with elaborate parades, complete with marching bands, war heroes and a showcase of military equipment.

Oceanside plans to hold its parade April 27, followed by San Diego’s celebration May 18, Armed Forces Day.

Oceanside officials expect more than 100,000 people to attend what they bill as the West Coast’s biggest military homecoming since World War II.

The next-door neighbor of Camp Pendleton began planning “Proud to Be an American Day” three months ago, shortly after war broke out. The parade was originally intended to be a show of support for troops fighting in the Gulf, organizers said.

“This has turned out to be a welcome home for the troops, although it did not start out that way,” said Paula Barksdale, executive director for the event and a member of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.

The celebration also aims to honor veterans of earlier wars, especially the Vietnam War, Barksdale said.

“I spent 3 1/2 years overseas during the Vietnam War, and all we heard while we were over there was about the protests back home,” said Barksdale, whose husband worked for the government in the war zone.

The veterans of the Vietnam War “were not honored properly,” Barksdale said. “No matter how the war turned out, they were told to go, they did their thing, and I think they deserved recognition for that.”

The chamber, which is working with the city to organize the event, estimates it will cost at least $186,000 to hold the parade. So far, the city has appropriated $36,000, and a $50,000 gift has come from Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

Other companies have made donations such as telephone services, construction and wiring of stages and food, said city spokesman Larry Bauman.

Marine Lt. Col. Clifford Acree and Chief Warrant Officer Guy Hunter, who were held for six weeks as prisoners of war by Iraq, will be part of the parade and honored at a ceremony afterward.

Actor Ricardo Montalban, former star of the television series “Fantasy Island,” has been named honorary grand marshal of the parade, while comedian Yakov Smirnoff has been named headline entertainer.

The parade will include nearly 1,000 Marines, airmen, sailors and soldiers, as well as tanks and armored vehicles and other military equipment of the type used during Operation Desert Storm.

The parade, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m., will wind from Hill Street at Wisconsin Avenue north to Mission Avenue, ending at the beach.

Program organizers said free shuttle buses will be available to make runs from Camp Pendleton and Camino Plaza Real in Carlsbad to alleviate parking problems in Oceanside.

Meanwhile, San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor promised her city’s celebration will be “the West Coast’s premiere event to welcome home the men and women of Operation Desert Storm.”

“It will also include veterans of previous conflicts,” according to a statement from the mayor.

A parade committee was searching for sponsors and volunteers and has sent invitations to many dignitaries, including President Bush, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Colin Powell.

Plans so far include a showcase of military equipment such as that used in Operation Desert Storm, large contingents from several branches of the armed forces, high school bands and 11 veterans from World War I.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will travel west from 6th Avenue and Broadway through downtown, turn south at Kettner Boulevard and end at Seaport Village.

“San Diego is the only city in the nation planning two capstone events to honor the returning Persian Gulf troops,” City Councilman Bruce Henderson said. “The Armed Forces Day Parade will serve as the kickoff event, and the annual Veteran’s Day parade on Nov. 11 will culminate the festivities.”