Veterans Day parade to be held Tuesday

Nearly 100 entries have signed up for the Veterans Day parade Tuesday, coordinated by American Legion Post No. 19.

"Parade entrants are to line up at 7:45 a.m. on 3rd Avenue and 16th Street, there are six divisions, ending with a street sweeper," said Dale Hiller, parade chairman.

"The parade will start promptly at 9 a.m., with a group of the Rough Riders Motorcycle Club in lead, followed by the vanguard, colors legion and auxiliary, Arnold Schuma, grand marshal and American Legion riders," the chairman said. "If there are any entries who did not register they would have to be in section six."

The parade will go south on 4th Avenue to 25th Street, then east to the American Legion post at 2745 Virginia Ave.

Schuma, this year's parade marshal, is no stranger to Yuma and the American Legion. He joined Post 19 in 1952, served on the ceremonial team 43 years, was commander in 1982 and 1986, and active in numerous activities.

His military career started in Minnesota when he was drafted in 1944 and shipped out to southern Luzon in the Philippines, assigned to the 158 Infantry Combat Team - known as the Bushmasters.

"Main job was patrolling and training for the invasion of Japan," Schuma said. "We were in a countdown mode when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, ending the war."

After six months with the first occupational troops in Japan, he returned stateside and was assigned to the Yuma Test Branch at Yuma Proving Ground, then he was assigned to the 8226 Army Signal Unit and was sent to Korea in supply communications from Pusan to Seoul. He also served in the National Guard.

From 1952 to 1982, he worked at YPG and was active in the legion.

Schuma commented, "I'm very honored to be selected to serve as grand marshal for this year's parade and I thank all who made this possible. I'm proud to be a member of Post 19, and encourage all young and eligible veterans to join and get involved with its programs."

At the end of the parade, the traditional ceremony will be performed by Fred Richard — the "11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month" when World War I ended.

There will be a barbecue lunch that costs $6.50 per adult and $3.50 for children under 12.

For information, call 344-6966, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.