Paseo del Rio has announced its plan for the second America’s Armed Forces River Parade to salute veterans and members of the country’s military following last year's first event that attracted thousand of visitors.
Paseo del Rio Association Executive Director Nancy Hunt said 25 professionally decorated floats will include one for each branch of military and businesses that serve veterans and the military.
"Lots of those businesses, instead of putting their own employees on those barges, they’re going to feature non-profit organizations that support the military; like USO, the Fisher Houses," Hunt said.
Hunt said having the non-profits featured on the floats helps the community – and military families – become more familiar with services that are available to them in San Antonio. One such organization, Operation Homefront, opened in 2001 to help military families with emergency needs.
"So that if your water heater breaks and you don’t have any money to buy a new water heater, they provide emergency funding for families like that," Hunt said, "which is amazing. It’s wonderful."
Hunt said a river parade honoring service members makes sense because San Antonio’s history is so closely tied to the military.
"We’re known as Military City, USA, and there’s a reason for that," Hunt said.
This year’s parade is also available to service members who are stationed around the world. It will be broadcast on the Pentagon Channel, which also posts on its website, and in 55 cities nationally.
The parade is set for May 18, and kicks off at the Arneson River Theater. It’s a free event for everyone.
