Published: October 24, 2009 04:42 pm      

Kumpe picked as grand marshal

San Marcos — George W. Kumpe Jr. of San Marcos, a U.S. Army veteran who received two purple hearts and a bronze star after his service in Vietnam, has been chosen to serve as grand marshal of the city of San Marcos' 2009 Veterans Day Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

A community-wide call for nominations of local veterans for grand marshal honors resulted in the nomination of 10 men and one woman with impressive military service records.

A nonpartisan committee made the selection after reviewing the nominations.

“Obviously, the committee had a tough job this year,” said San Marcos Parks and Recreation's Lisa Morris who coordinates the city's Veterans Day observance. “Every one of the 11 veterans nominated are deserving of recognition for their service to our country. It is very rewarding just to meet them.”

Following behind Grand Marshal Kumpe in the parade will be the other nominees who will make up an honor guard. Whether the group will be presented on a float like last year or in other vehicles is still under consideration. One way or another, the other nominees will be recognized as part of the honor guard.

Invited to participate in the honor guard are U. S. Air Force veterans Dr. Theodore Dake Jr. and Lt. Col. Robert L. “Bob” Dentino; U.S. Army veterans Richard Cruz, Thomas Ivarra Sr. and Thomas Ivarra Jr.; U.S. Marine Corps veterans Lt. Col. George F. Boemerman and Dr. Dick E. Hammond; and U.S. Navy veterans Lt. Col. Tom L. Bambrick and Captain Bettye G. Nagy.

Nominee Alan Cameron, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, will assume a different sort of role for the parade. The current president of the San Marcos Toastmasters, Cameron will serve as parade master of ceremonies.

This year's grand marshal nominees represent a combined total of more than 100 years of military service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Awards and honors bestowed upon them for their military service again range from the Purple Heart to Commendation Medals and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Ten of the nominees reside in San Marcos and have compiled impressive community service records here and in other cities where they resided since completing their military service.

Thomas Ivarra Jr., a 1966 San Marcos High School graduate, recently moved to Lockhart.

“They each have such wonderful records and stories to tell about their dedicated service to this country. All need to be recognized and that's what we want to do,” Morris said, adding, “We hope all the honorees will join representatives of our veterans service organizations when Mayor Susan Narvaiz presents the annual Veterans Day proclamation in Council Chambers at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2,” Morris said.

For more information about the Veterans Day Parade and other Veterans Day activities, call Morris at 393-8400.