Clifford Chaffee
Grand Marshal Clifford Chaffee was born in Parsons, Kansas in 1915. When he was a boy, his family moved to Long Beach, where he attended Franklin Junior High and Poly High before joining the United States Navy in 1933.
He served in World War II in the aircraft service at Roy Namur Island. He landed on the beach of Roy Namur Island with the Marines. He was in charge of group of men who repaired damaged planes from various aircraft carriers and battle groups.
During the Korean conflict, he served on the aircraft carrier USS Essex.
He retired and transferred to the Fleet Reserve in 1954. He has been a member of the Fleet Reserve Association for 74 years. He has held every position, including president of Board 43.
At age 70, he was presented with the Carnegie Hero Medal for saving the life of a neighbor’s 4-year-old during a house fire.
He and his wife of 75 years, Grace, resided in Long Beach until her passing in 2013. He now lives with his daughter Jeri. He has two grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Allan Kobrick
Grand Marshal Allan Kobrick was born in 1915 and raised in New York. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942. During his tour, he helped established a Navy base in Bahia, Brazil, since there was a lot of U-boat activity in the South Atlantic. He obtained the rank of Yeoman First Class before his honorable discharge in 1945.
After the war, he returned to New York City and worked at the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard.
In 1948 he moved to Long Beach and worked as a printer until his retirement in mid 1980s.
“Both of these men gave so much to their country to protect us and our rights,” said 4th District Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. “I love this annual parade as a way to recognize the tremendous service and sacrifices of all our veterans, and I’m especially excited to see these two special men celebrated for their service and commitment to our country and community.”
Veterans Day Parade Chair Val Lerch said the first time volunteers raised funds to organize a veterans parade in Long Beach was more than 18 years ago.
“We actually passed a hat around at our first meeting, and people donated dollars and change,” said Lerch, who has been a part of the parade committee every year. “We had a small but passionate group, and we were committed to bringing something to Southern California to honor and recognize our local vets.”
Today, the parade draws upwards of 25,000 attendees and an estimated 200-plus entrants, according to its organizers.
Lerch noted that through the years, veterans have expressed their gratitude for the parade and the recognition it brings to members of the military, past and present.
“After one of our earlier parades, a Vietnam vet told me this was the very first time he was honored for his service,” Lerch said. “Vets from that era never really received a warm welcome home, and he took great pride in being able to participate in this particular parade.”
For more information, visit lbveteransdayparade.com .
