HOLLYWOOD — Retired Col. Paris D. Davis, who was awarded the Medal of Honor in March — almost 60 years after being nominated for his heroism in the course of the Vietnam Warfare — would be the grand marshal of Sunday’s 91st Hollywood Christmas Parade.
“I’m honored and really grateful to be chosen as Grand Marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade,” Davis stated shortly after the November announcement. “I’m particularly happy that this glorious annual custom raises consciousness of the necessary work that Marine Toys for Tots are doing to carry presents and vacation cheer to these much less lucky. The parade additionally brings goodwill to folks from all walks of life all through the world. It’s a superb reminder about what America stands for, who we’re, and all that we are able to accomplish once we come collectively.”
Davis, one of many first Black officers to serve within the Military’s elite Inexperienced Berets, was acknowledged “for his daring rescue of two severely injured troopers throughout an intense battle within the Vietnam Warfare” on June 18, 1965.
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The now 84-year-old Davis was twice nominated for the nation’s highest award for navy valor in motion, however the paperwork was misplaced or misplaced — each occasions — and he was awarded a Silver Star as a substitute. His different navy honors embody a Purple Coronary heart, a Soldier’s Medal and a Bronze Star.
“Paris … volunteered … to serve a rustic that in lots of locations nonetheless refused to serve individuals who appear to be him,” President Joe Biden stated in the course of the March 3 Medal of Honor ceremony. “[He is] every little thing this medal means: Courageous and big-hearted, decided and devoted, selfless and steadfast — America.”
LA Councilmember Nithya Raman speaks throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Jingle 5 Christmas Carolers carry out throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
The PAVA World Korean Conventional Band carry out throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
The PAVA World Korean Conventional Band and Dancers carry out throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Actor Kate Linder speaks throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Cortney Lofton as Santa Clause throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Magicians Nick Dopuch and Mat O’Neill converse throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
The PAVA World Korean Conventional Band and Dancers carry out throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Cortney Lofton as Santa Clause speaks throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
LA Councilmember Nithya Raman seems to be on the Grinch throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
John Huenefeld II, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps, speaks throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Korean performers wait throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
LA Councilmember Nithya Raman speaks throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Members of the PAVA World Korean Conventional Band and Dancers wait to carry out throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Costumed performers carry out throughout a press convention for The 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on the Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, CA on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Picture by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Day by day Information/SCNG)
Davis served as commander of the tenth Particular Forces Group in Fort Devens, Mass. and was inducted into the U.S. Military Ranger Corridor of Fame in 2019.
After retiring from the Military in 1985, Davis based and revealed the Metro Herald newspaper in Alexandria, Virginia from the early Nineteen Nineties till 2018.
Sunday’s parade will step off from Orange Drive and Hollywood Boulevard and comply with a U-shaped route east to Vine Avenue, south on Vine to Sundown Boulevard, west on Sundown, then again to Orange.
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It will likely be co-hosted by actors Erik Estrada and Dean Cain together with media personalities Montel Williams, Laura McKenzie and Elizabeth Stanton.
Pre-parade leisure will embody the Village Individuals, pop-opera singer Anna Azerli and The Grinch.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will likely be among the many celebrities and dignitaries taking part together with dancer-singer Paula Abdul, singer Dwight Yoakum, radio host Kerri Kasem, pop duo Aly & AJ, and actors Chris Kattan, Craig Robinson, Ernie Hudson, Brandon Routh, Ming-Na Wen, Denise Richards and Tatyana Ali.
The parade may also function 10 bands, six four-story-high character balloons, performances by the Homosexual Males’s Refrain of Los Angeles and California Springs Rhythmic Gymnastics. It should all be topped off with an look by Santa Claus.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. and will likely be taped for broadcast on the CW Community at 8 p.m. on Dec. 15.
