Local Veterans are ready to march through Folsom again as parade returns Thursday

East Bidwell Street is sure to be shining bright with the many forms of red, white and blue this Thursday, Nov. 11, as hundreds will line the streets in Folsom for the 21st annual Wayne Spence Veterans Parade, an event that many have long awaited after last year's cancellation. The annual Wayne Spence Veterans Parade first came about in Folsom nearly two decades ago. The tradition began as a simple one-man parade through Folsom by none other than a local resident named Wayne Spence. A proud and patriotic man, Spence began this annual tradition by parading through the streets of Folsom on his own to honor our local veterans. He then began to encourage others to join his efforts. Thereafter, the parade has grown into one of the largest parades in the region annually and is traditionally held on Veterans Day, regardless what day of the week it might fall on. Spence was also known for his involvement in assisting the city of Folsom with the naming of various streets after fallen vets. This year's parade will have two grand marshals leading the route. Thomas Gray and Lewis Deyong are both Folsom residents who served their country. Gray, 103, is the oldest grand marshal to be represented in the parade. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and deployed to Japan on the USS Claremont as a Gunner's Mate Third Class at the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Deyong , 96, was born in England and served in the British Army 1st Airborne Reconnaissance from 1943 to 1947 before heading to New York City in 1948, where he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Deyong served our country honorably for 31 years, including tours in World War II, Korea and Vietnam before retiring as PRCM Parachute Rigger Master Chief. The parade is set to begin at 9 a.m. Nov. 11 on E. Bidwell Street in front of the HomeGoods parking lot, located at 430 Blue Ravine Road. The parade will travel northwest on E. Bidwell Street, turn right on Coloma Street and turn right on Natoma Street. The parade will conclude at the Folsom Community Center, located at 52 Natoma St., and a brief ceremony will take place at the nearby Veterans Memorial. The Folsom Police Department will coordinate a temporary closure of all lanes of traffic on E. Bidwell Street from approximately 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Natoma Street from Coloma to Wales Drive will close from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The parade will be held rain or shine. In an effort to ensure this annual parade continues to honor veterans rather than become an advertising opportunity for participants and businesses, all entries are required to include a patriotic theme to show their support of those who have served our country. For more information, contact Ted Ocampo at 916-351-3521 or tocampo@folsom.ca.us.