Vets honored at huge cart parade

In a year of the continued disappointment of postponing and canceling major traditional Canyon Lake events, the community rose up in a big way to honor its veterans Wednesday. In a celebration that brought hundreds to the streets in golf carts and as spectators, the annual city Veteran’s Day Celebration has never been bigger.

The typical ceremony at the Canyon Lake Town Center’s Veterans Memorial Park couldn’t happen because of COVID-19 restrictions, so the City of Canyon Lake decided instead to organize the socially-distant golf cart parade and a flyover that took place over the entire length of the community. Although the memorial park ceremony was missed, the change meant more Canyon Lakers participated.

A Warbirds flyover traversed all of Canyon Lake. Photo by Ariana Shah

Lines of veterans in their decorated golf carts with loved ones paraded along the main streets of Canyon Lake to cheers of those who lined the streets in their driveways and balconies. There were even those who watched from their boats as they floated in the adjoining lake. Many people were waving flags and cheering as the carts passed by.

Canyon Lake Mayor Jordan Erenkranz led the parade in his golf cart. The others followed in their golf carts that were decorated patriotically with flags, some blowing bubbles and others blasting music.

The cart parade was organized into military eras and the wars in which the veterans participated. Veterans and their carts lined up in their designated areas. The World War II veterans took the lead, followed by those in the Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq and to the present.

“I’m excited that we’re doing this,” Joe Pizzo, who served in the Navy from 1953 to 1957, said while in his golf cart looking at the mass of other veterans lining up. “I didn’t realize that there were this many vets in Canyon Lake.”

Photo by Ariana Shah

Many of those participating were grateful for the opportunity to join their fellow veterans on such a gorgeous day.

“I’m a committee member and I helped set this event up,” Harry Larson, who served for 11 years starting in 1945, said. “It’s a great sunny day in Canyon Lake and we’re going to enjoy the day and enjoy the turnout. I’m really excited to see how everything goes.”

Golf carts in the parade drove in single file from East Port Park to Gault Field, where they made a U-Turn and headed back to Canyon Lake Drive and ended at the Canyon Lake Town Center.

The crowd then dispersed back to their homes to view the 15-minute flyover show which started at 3:00 p.m. Canyon Lakers watched the Warbirds flyover from either parks or from their homes.

“It’s nice to continue this recognition,” Jack Wamsley, who served from 1950 to 1954 and the Korean War, said. “Veterans gave a lot to make sure we can do this.”

The city, led by Mayor Pro Tem Kasey Castillo, will continue the celebration in future years and it will be interesting to see if a COVID-19-less celebration will include aspects of this year’s highly successful version.

“It’s very important that we celebrate this day every year,” Rocco Lanzisera, who served 1974-76 and the Vietnam War.