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World War II veteran brings anniversary tour to Sausalito

Marin Independent Journal - 7/30/2020

Jul. 30--World War II veteran Sidney Walton set out to make history Wednesday by leading a car parade from San Jose to Sausalito to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war.

Walton, a 101-year-old San Diego resident, served as grand marshal of the motorcade along Highway 101 traveling 101 kilometers at 101 kph, or about 63 mph. The idea was also to have the participation of exactly 101 cars, including members of the American Legion Riders, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Buick Club of America, among other organizations, said Paul Walton, the veteran's son.

The caravan was the latest stretch of Walton's "No Regrets Tour," a pilgrimage of sorts to all 50 states to meet local and state officials. The trip on Wednesday started at the San Jose Police Department and departed for San Francisco on Highway 101. It received a police escort over the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito.

"I'm very happy to see my father here at 101 years old and continuing on this mission," said Walton, who drove the decorated 2020 Buick Enclave that led the caravan.

World War II lasted from Sept. 1, 1939, to Sept. 2, 1945. Sidney Walton joined the U.S. Army in 1941 at age 21, nine months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served in the China-Burma-India Theater.

Paul Walton said the idea to tour the U.S. came on his father's 99th birthday. When he asked his father if he had any regrets, the elder Walton said he wished he had been able to meet veterans of the Civil War.

"That's when I said, what if we gave people the opportunity to meet a World War II veteran?" Paul Walton said. "He said, 'I'm up for that,' and that's when we started going from state to state."

The tour has visited 32 states, making stops to meet the governors of each, Paul Walton said.

"We have 18 more to go," he said.

The veteran's notoriety landed him an invitation to Super Bowl LIV to perform the honorary coin toss at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, travel has been limited. Instead of flying, the Waltons purchased a car for the trips and to limit potential exposure to the virus, Walton said.

The two did a similar parade for the Fourth of July, traveling from the Hollywood Hills to the coast of Ventura.

The participants at the event on Wednesday included Ed Grimsley, the American Legion state commander. He said that when he learned what Walton was attempting to accomplish, he had to join.

"I got my American Legion Riders group together and told them that whatever they needed, I'm glad to help," Grimsley said, noting the group also participated in the Fourth of July event.

"Sidney is one of the last World War II veterans, and I think the message they're sending is just outstanding," Grimsley said.

Sausalito police lined up along Bridgeway to welcome the motorcade and control traffic after the procession crossed the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County.

"I think it's a wonderful thing," said Sausalito police Capt. Bill Fraass. "His generation fought trying to keep America free. We will never forget their sacrifices."

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(c)2020 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.)

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