Petaluma Veterans Day parade getting bigger, more successful

<p>For years the annual Petaluma Veteran's Day Parade has billed itself as the largest Veteran's Day parade north of the Golden Gate. Perhaps it's time to update the claim.</p><p>Seven years ago, when Steve Kemmerle took over organizational duties, the parade featured 60 entries and attracted about 6,000 people, Kemmerle said.</p><p>Last year, 180 entries marched or rolled through Petaluma, drawing a crowd of 25,000 spectators. That number is likely to be surpassed Friday as 200 groups, including veterans dating back to World War II, are set to take part, Kemmerle said.</p><p>“It's probably one of the biggest in California now,” Kemmerle said. “It keeps growing.”</p><p>Wet weather could put a damper on this year's observation, which starts at 1 p.m. in downtown Petaluma. According to the National Weather Service, showers are likely Friday with a 60 percent chance of precipitation.</p><p>One person who won't be put off by the threat of a little rain is the parade grand marshal, Gen. Richard Hearney, a retired four-star general who was second-highest ranking officer in the Marine Corps when he retired in 1996.</p><p>Hearney, a 1957 graduate of Petaluma High School who now lives in Mendocino County, called Kemmerle recently to say he'd be there rain or shine, though he's praying for the latter.</p><p>“I'd hate to have rain blamed on a Marine,” he said.</p><p>Hearney was scheduled to lead the parade several years ago but he asked a two-star general to replace him so he could visit troops in Afghanistan.</p><p>His long career in the Marine Corps exposed him to all sides of war and military life.</p><p>As a pilot, Hearney flew 680 missions during two tours in the Vietnam war, earning the Purple Heart. Nearly three decades later, he was deputy commander of all Marine forces during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He dealt directly with the families of the pilots he deployed to Iraq.</p><p>He later lost one of his sons, Brenden, 29, a Marine aviator whose plane went down during training exercises in England in 1994.</p><p>Hearney said he was honored to again be invited to lead the parade. He's due to speak after the march concludes.</p><p>“I'm flattered to be invited,” he said. “It's very important for me to be there. I grew up there.”</p>