Crowds expected for 21st Annual Folsom Veterans Parade Friday

East Bidwell Street is sure to be shining bright with the many forms of red, white and blue Friday, Nov. 11, as hundreds will line the streets in Folsom for the 21st annual Wayne Spence Veterans Parade. Most in the city know the tale, but for those who don't, the 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. 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 Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal is local resident Myles McTernan, who flew missions in Vietnam for the United States Air Force. McTernan had a decorated career as a pilot and flew several different aircraft but none more notable than the B-52, with a call sign of Ruby 2. Local resident Myles McTernan, a decorated pilot who flew missions in Vietnam for the United States Air Force, is this year's Grand Marshal of the Folsom Veterans Parade. Folsom Parks and Recreation Just five days after the end of the bombing operation known as Linebacker II, the Ruby 2 was damaged by a Surface to Air Missile during a raid on Vinh, Vietnam. All crew left safely, except for Captain McTernan, the navigator at the time, who was forced to bail out through an open hatch. All crew survived eight-to-10-foot waves in the sea before being rescued by USAF and Navy SAR helicopters. Following this rescue, Captain McTernan served 21 years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Friday, he will be honored as the parade makes its way through Folsom before thousands. 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. 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 approximately 11 a.m. Natoma Street from Coloma to Wales Drive will close from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. It is 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.