Alamo Wing participates in Military City USA Veteran's Day parade

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lauren M. Snyder
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  

The 433rd Airlift Wing saluted veterans by flying a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft over the Alamo during the 20th anniversary U.S. Military Veteran’s Parade Association wreath presentation here, Nov. 9.

The annual event honors the military, veterans, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving the nation.

“This event celebrates the armistice from World War I, the Great War to end all wars, and we're here to honor the men that served then and in all wars,” said Lt. Col. Terry W. McClain, 433rd AW commander. “We continue to hope that that day’s armistice can end wars and give peace.”

The ceremony honored veterans from every branch.

“We gather today for all those who answered the call to arms either through volunteering, or by the draft: those who left home and families behind to join the bigger family of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coasties and our Marines who celebrate 244 years of always faithful service,” said Pastor Gilley Richardson, (ret.) Colonel Army chaplain, during the invocation.

The morning ceremony, outdoors in a shaded courtyard of the Alamo, included speeches, songs, reminiscing, live marching band music, presentations, and the appearance of the C-5M aircraft overhead.

“Oh my gosh, the flyover was really spectacular,” said Joan McClymonds, resident of Goldendale, Washington, who was in town with her husband for a Vietnam reunion. “My husband flew in Vietnam as a door gunner, and then my grandson was jumping out of planes with the airborne, but that's the closest I've ever seen that; I thought it was fun.”

The 433rd AW is a persistent presence in San Antonio: both in the air and the community.  

“The Alamo Wing is comprised of 2,500 Reserve Citizen Airmen that serve their nation in many capacities while also maintaining a civilian career in our community until needed,” said McClain. “We’ve been a part of San Antonio since 1950. We live here. This is our city. This is our town.”