George F. Banda, former U.S. Veteran Specialist 4th Class and Silver Star of Gallantry recipient, will serve as the honorary parade marshal in the 42nd Annual UMOS Mexican Independence Parade. 

The parade will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 15th. The parade will start at 20th and Oklahoma, proceed east on Oklahoma, to north on 6th Street, right on Rosedale, and end at the UMOS Center on Chase Avenue. The theme of the parade is “The Spirit of September 16th.”

The UMOS Mexican Independence Festival will take place the same day from noon to 8 p.m. on the UMOS Center Grounds at 2701 South Chase Avenue. The festival will feature the “El Grito” presentation, six bands, dancers, carnival rides, a variety of food and merchandise vendors, and community resources booths.

George Banda was drafter during the Vietnam War. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism in Ground Combat, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and a host of other accommodations.