11th Armored Cavalry Regiment leads Veterans Day parade

VICTORVILLE, Calif. -- Several hundred community members congregated street-side to show their respect for American Veterans during the 19th annual City of Victorville Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11.

According to parade committee members, one of the major attractions this year was the appearance of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Horse Mounted Color Guard from the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, Calif.

The use of military horses reflects a long tradition of dignity and honor in the United States Army. The presence of a horse mounted color guard in an event is a sign of respect, honor, and a connection to an endearing military tradition.

Four riders from the regimental Horse Detachment adorned in 1901 uniforms and a formation of 40 "Blackhorse" troopers led the parade featuring 26 organizations. Parade goers cheered and waved flags in excitement as the horse cavalry slowly trotted in front of the Troopers proudly marching in cadence.

The regiment also provided two "up armored" humvees serving as escort vehicles for Congressman Paul Cook -- U.S. Representative for California's 8th congressional district, Victorville Mayor Gloria Garcia, and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Felix Diaz, a lifetime achievement honoree for his extraordinary dedication and commitment to community service in Victorville, Calif.

The parade was immediately followed by a Veterans Day ceremony in front of Victorville's Veterans Memorial. Garcia officiated the ceremony and guest speakers included Cook, Diaz and Col. Kevin Jacobi, commanding officer for the 11th ACR.

Soldiers from the regiment and Horse Detachment stood-fast in front of the memorial as Jacobi delivered a powerful yet heartfelt speech on military pride.

Jacobi paid tribute to Veterans from each service emphasizing personnel as the most powerful tool in our armed forces.

"As we celebrate today, what I think of as our military strength, let us keep that Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine front in our mind -- not allowing them to get lost in a technological age -- an age of high technology, advanced ships, airplanes, tanks, drones, etc.," Jacobi said. "It is true, and we are grateful that our service men and women are the best trained, best equipped, best led in the world -- but as a military, our strength is not the technology, our strength is our people."

Jacobi also honored a Victorville wartime Veteran during each era of service. He sanctified World War II Veteran Demitrio Garcia, Korean War Veteran Ramon Navarro, Vietnam War Veteran Sal Navarro, Gulf War Veteran Keith Barclay and Dean Likiardopoulas -- Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Jacobi concluded his speech by thanking Veterans and community members for their sense of duty, sense of family, and their respect for freedom.

Garcia gave special thanks to Jacobi and the participating Blackhorse Troopers during her closing remarks. The ceremony ended with the playing of "Taps" in honor of our nation's fallen military heroes.

Related Links:

National Training Center and Fort Iriwn