At least 200 children, parents, and families lined Montezuma Avenue Friday afternoon as the late fall sun illuminated American flags held by veterans, military personnel, and other community members. This was the Veterans Day parade in Cortez.
Members of the the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and other military and veterans’ groups made their way down the street, some marching, others riding in vehicles.
A group of singers from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe also sang ceremonial songs, accompanied by tribal royalty.
The Cortez middle-school and high- school bands marched as well. The high school played the school song, called the “Halls of Montezuma.” It holds the same tune as hymn of the U.S. Marines.
Later, students from local elementary schools walked and rode bikes down the street, waving American flags.
Near the the end of the parade, fire engines and a long line of brightly-colored classic cars brought the parade to a close.
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