News

81st Annual FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade Scheduled for a 9:45 a.m. Start on Thanksgiving Morning November 15, 2017

EL PASO, Texas – Thanksgiving is just days away and that also means the 81st Annual FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade is also just days away.

FirstLight Federal Credit Union and the Sun Bowl Association are excited to have the community of El Paso come together once again on Montana Ave. as the parade will start on Ochoa Street and end at the intersection of Copia and Montana. Start time for the parade this year is at 9:45 a.m. (MT). This year 12 World War II Veterans leading the way as Grand Marshals.

“With this year’s theme being ‘American Folklore’ we thought it’d be great to have real heroes lead our parade,” said Sun Bowl Association Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “We have a great working relationship with Fort Bliss and appreciate the team there helping us get connected with these veterans.”

The community of El Paso can expect to see approximately 20 large floats, multiple high school bands, as well as the UTEP marching band and other various entries including the famous Budweiser Clydesdale Horses.

“It’s always great to see the excitement on everyone’s faces, especially the kids,” said Sun Bowl Association Special Events Director and parade organizer Joe Daubach. “This is a great tradition in El Paso that is put on by the people of El Paso and we hope to continue this for many years.”

ABOUT THE PARADE
Review Stands: Tickets will be available at the Sun Bowl Association Office, all Circle K Stores and FirstLight Federal Credit Union branches for $10.00. New Location for Review Stands – 1600 Montana Ave. (Emergence Health Network).

Step off Time: 9:45 a.m. (MST)

Parade Route: Montana Avenue; beginning at Ochoa and ending at Copia (2.7 miles)

Anticipated Units: 100 units including floats, equestrian units, clowns, marching bands, drum and bugle corps units, dignitaries, Grand Marshals, and a wide variety of specialty units from Mexican / Indian dancers to military ceremonial units.

Television: Live coverage of the parade on local television affiliate KTSM Channel 9 (NBC). –
Television coverage starts at 10 a.m. (MT).

Anticipated Crowd: 250,000 spectators line Montana Ave. each Thanksgiving morning to watch the largest community event in the Southwest.

For more information on the parade visit the Sun Bowl Association website at www.sunbowl.org/parade.

Grand Marshals

Eladio Saucedo, United States Navy
• Served one tour on board the USS Bennington CV20
• Recipient of the WWII Campaign Medal
and Good Conduct Medal
• Has two sons and three grandchildren
who also served in the Armed Forces

Alfredo Gomez, United States Navy
• Served one tour on board the USS Panamint
• Witnessed the signing of the Surrender of Japan

Daniel Montoya, United States Marine Corps
• Attended Bowie High School
• Served with 1st Battalion, 17th Marines
• Served at Guadalcanal and Okinawa

Ramon Muñoz, United States Army
• Served one tour during WWII
• Recipient of the American Theater Campaign Medal, the Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal with Five Bronze Stars and a WWII Victory medal. His unit also received the Distinguished Unit Badge

Luigi Pellicano, United States Army
• One tour as a Rifleman
• Recipient of the Purple Heart, ETO Ribbons for 4 battle Campaigns, a Bronze Star, and a WWII victory medal.
• Daughter Dolores Pellicano was the 1972 Sun Queen

Ramon “Ray” Marquez, United States Marine Corps
• Served one tour in WWII, one tour in the Korean War and one tour in Vietnam.
•Recipient of a Meritorious Mast and a Letter of Appreciation

Salvador “Tato” Diaz, United States Marine Corps
• Served one tour during WWII
• Recipient of the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Valor and the Combat Action Ribbon. His unit received a Presidential Unit Citation

Jose Andow, United States Army
• One of four brothers who served in WWII
(Paul Andow-Navy, Enrique Andow-Army, Angel Andow-Marines)
• Participant in the European Theater of WWII

Fidel F. Canchola, United States Army
• Served one tour during WWII
• Recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, WWII Victory Medal, Five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart

Alice Scherotter, Unisted States Navy-WAVES
• Served one tour during WWII
• Earned a degree in Occupational Therapy through the GI Bill

David Chavez, United States Navy
• Served one tour during WWII
• Entered the service at age 16
• Worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad
for almost 40 years after his military career

Moises Flores
• No information provided

+ www.sunbowl.org +