LAKEPORT, Calif. – They go about their work quietly, efficiently, with the utmost respect.
The Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team has paid tribute at the final services for more than 800 Lake County veterans, and they do so with no outside funding source, providing a vital service for the families of veterans entirely upon donations.
But on Thursday evening, the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team will provide another vital service to the community when its members serve as grand marshals for the Lake County Fair opening parade.
In 2003, Craven began sending care packages to a couple of her law enforcement colleagues who were deployed to Afghanistan as part of the California Army National Guard.
It was the start of Operation Tango Mike, which translates to “Operation Thanks Much” in military jargon.
Each year the fair’s board of directors selects an individual or organization that has had a large and significant impact on Lake County.
The grand marshals lead the parade up Main Street in Lakeport on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Arriving at the main gate on Martin Street, they will cut the ribbon and declare the Lake County Fair open for another year.
The Lake County Military Honors Team will lead the parade with a color guard, a marching unit, and the team’s commanders honoring both America’s veteran’s and the way of life those veteran’s have fought and died for, as exemplified by a small town country fair.
Each year, the fair parade is the kickoff event for the annual Lake County Fair.
The parade starts at Natural High in Lakeport, travels south on Main Street, and ends at the main gate to the fairgrounds with the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Upon arrival at the main gate, everyone who enters the parade with a float will receive free entry to the fair.