Hundreds turn out for De Soto Veterans Day Parade despite rainy forecast

Rain stopped just in time for the 18th annual De Soto Veterans Day Parade, held the morning of Nov. 9 along Main Street.

“Despite the weather and the gloomy forecast, our parade went off on time,” said veteran Bob Lee, who co-chairs the De Soto Veterans Parade. “As you might expect, the number of parade entries was down, as was the attendance on Main Street.”

His wife, Lynn Lee, said the parade had between 20 and 25 entries.

Last year, the streets were lined with people watching the parade, and while attendance was down this year, a few hundred people still turned out, Lynn said.

She believes many showed up to see Vietnam veteran Mike Christopher, who served as the grand marshal.

Christopher, a lifelong De Soto resident, was wounded while serving three months in Vietnam. He lost his right eye when he was hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with a “V” device (for combat valor), the Army Commendation Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

Lynn said Christopher was excited to be the grand marshal.

“He said he was never thanked when he came home, but making him the grand marshal in De Soto was his thank you,” she said.

Bob said Whitman Air Force Base was unable to fly over with a military aircraft this year, and because of the rain, the De Soto High School Marching Band did not participate and the Farmington Elks did not bring their large American flag.

However, Bob was pleased with everyone who took part.

“The entries we had were filled with veterans, and a very patriotic crowd welcomed them,” Bob said. “I have been the co-chairman for many years, and this day once again showed De Soto, Missouri, is a very patriotic city, as well as the outside area.”