28th Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade — Flyovers, Bands, and a Fireworks Finish

NBC Palm Springs brought viewers live coverage of the 28th Annual Veterans Day Parade from downtown Palm Springs, celebrating service members and their families across the Coachella Valley. The program opened with vintage aircraft flyovers from the Palm Springs Air Museum and continued with the Palm Springs High School Spirit of the Sands Marching Band, the Palm Springs Police and Fire departments, and crowd-favorite patriotic balloons.

On the route, NBC Palm Springs meteorologist Pablo Alsina caught up with veterans from multiple eras, along with Congressman Raul Ruiz, Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto, City Manager Scott Stiles, Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado, and Palm Springs Police Lieutenant Gustavo Araiza. The event also featured Officer Jorge Diaz from the department’s Impact Team, who shared how veterans’ discipline carries into community service.

Community groups highlighted Palm Springs’ deep military ties, including the American Legion Post 519, the Daughters of the American Revolution, College of the Desert’s Veterans Resource Center, Desert Care Network, the Palm Springs Rotary Club, and Leadership Military Academy. The parade also featured La Quinta High School Air Force Junior ROTC, Desert Hot Springs High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School, and the Palm Springs Corvette Club, all honoring veterans through music, service, and community pride.

The Palm Springs Air Museum’s What’s Up Doc C-47 aircraft made a special appearance, along with Custom Canines Service Dog Academy and the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue. Interviews also featured Undersecretary Keith Boylan from the California Department of Veterans Affairs, who praised Palm Springs for its strong community-based veteran support programs.

The celebration concluded with a patriotic concert and fireworks finale, lighting up the desert sky in tribute to all who have served and continue to serve.

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