The Grand Marshal of Miami Lakes’ 46th Annual Veterans Day Parade was Ret. U.S. Marine Col. William “Bill” Perez.
Before an audience at Town Hall on Nov. 2 that included U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Doral and Fla. Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, Perez paid tribute to the town, its veterans and those who support them.
He described an idyllic childhood in Miami Lakes, riding his bike around quiet streets in the dairy farm town and fishing in its lakes.
“During my 34 years in the Marines and when I was away serving my country, I always dreamed of coming back home to Miami Lakes,” Perez said. “And I thank God I was allowed to fulfill that dream. But I want to thank everyone here for safeguarding this man’s dream and keeping this town what a 12-year-old would consider the closest thing to heaven,” Perez said.
Diaz-Balart called Veterans Day, observed on Nov. 11, “a sacred day,” one “to remember those brave men and woman who are willing to put everything on the line,” before presenting a flag to Perez.
Perez, 61, of Miami Lakes, chairs the town’s volunteer Veterans Committee, who chose him for the honor.
Born in Cuba, Perez moved to Miami Lakes in 1974. In the Marines, he was a combat intelligence analyst, interrogator translator, attorney and teacher. He held command positions and was deployed in 2003 to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan in 2009 for Operation Enduring Freedom, according to his biography.
Perez earned a Legion of Merit medal; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal with four gold stars; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal with two gold stars and a Combat Action Ribbon.
Perez retired in 2015 and began volunteering. He’s a member of the town’s Mental Health Task Force; is vice commander for American Legion Post 144 and is Chancellor of the Knights of Columbus Council 4772. His non-profit corporation Veterans Story Hour teaches kids about civics and history.
Marchers with more than 40 groups paraded downtown and included: Mayor Josh Dieguez and the town council; veterans; the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s mounted unit and Honor Guard; high school marching bands, dancers and cheerleaders; martial arts students; committees and boards who serve Miami Lakers; and Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion Everglades Squad.
Parade sponsor The Graham Companies treated veterans to a private lunch with elected officials in Town Hall.
Miami Lakes AutoMall; Headquarter Toyota; Vicky Bakery; JJJ Customz Golf Carts; Humana; TruGreen; Zen Canine Club; Polar Seltzer and the Veterans Committee, assisted by the Public Safety Committee, also sponsored the day.