Crowds lined both sides of Front Street several deep on Wednesday, Nov. 11, as Poulsbo’s Veterans Day Parade stepped off at 11:11 a.m. under gray skies, with families waving small flags from curbs, folding chairs and storefront balconies.
A Coast Guard helicopter circled over downtown before a police motorcycle escort and a color guard led the way. Behind them rode this year’s grand marshal, Cecil V. Peterson, a 103-year-old World War II veteran, in an Army Humvee. The parade announcer told the crowd Peterson fought across Europe with the 100th Infantry Division and received the Bronze Star.
Scouts carried banners for each branch of the armed forces, from the Army and Navy to the Space Force, spaced through the procession. Miss Poulsbo Madison Coulston waved from a red Corvette, and Miss West Sound Scholarship Program titleholders, the city of Poulsbo flag and the Poulsbo Yacht Club followed.
Sailors from Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport rode atop a Navy boat with an antique dive helmet, and a Navy explosive ordnance disposal technician in a full bomb suit drew some of the biggest reactions of the day as he high-fived children along the route. The Sons of Norway lodge sailed by in its Viking ship float.
The lineup also included the Kitsap Peninsula Shrine Club and its bear mascot, a vintage Fraternal Order of Police car, Combat Veterans International Chapter 11, the VFW Offroaders, the Kitsap Mustang Club, Veterans of the Wild, Poulsbo Middle School students, cast members promoting Kitsap Children’s Musical Theatre’s “Annie,” and members of the Sons of the American Revolution in colonial dress carrying an “Our 1st Veterans” banner, with fife and drum.
Local businesses, churches and nonprofits filled out the procession, and Santa Claus rode in near the end behind a line of motorcycles, a reminder that the holiday season is close behind.
Along the route, a Veterans Hospitality Station offered free cookies and drinks to veterans.
Photos by Terry Ward/Ward Media. Video by Dawson Ward/Ward Media. Tap any photo to see it full size.
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