Heroes past and present will be honored this Friday, November 11 at the Sacramento Veterans Day Parade.

The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. running eastward on Capitol Mall. A program is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. It will include resources for veterans, entertainment, and children’s activities.

The Grand Marshal is Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager.

Born in 1923 in Myra, W.Va., General Yeager enlisted in the Army Air Corps in September 1941. He was accepted for pilot training under the flying sergeant program in July 1942, and received his pilot wings and appointment as a flight officer in March 1943.

During World War II, General Yeager distinguished himself in aerial combat over France and Germany from 1943 to 1945. On March 5, 1944, he was shot down over German-occupied France, but escaped capture when elements of the French Maquis helped him reach the safety of the Spanish border. He returned to the United States in 1945.

Among his many accomplishments, General Yeager made world history on October 14, 1947 by becoming the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound. He became commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilot School in July 1962.

General Yeager’s military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem with oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon.

He was promoted to the grade of brigadier general effective August 1, 1969 (date of rank June 22, 1969), is a command pilot and has flown more than 10,000 hours in 155 different types of military aircraft.

For more information about General Yeager, visit the U.S. Air Force or his official website.

The Sacramento Veterans Day Parade is organized by the City of Sacramento Neighborhood Services Division.