paradegrandmarshall-11-03-16Parade Grand Marshal for Mesquite’s 19th annual Veterans Day Parade is T.J. Richardson. He served 11 years in the Marine Corp, leaving as a Captain.

Richardson started out as a helicopter pilot with over 600 combat missions in both Vietnam and Laos. After leaving Vietnam for a two-year tour as an air-to-air gunnery flight instructor, Richardson returned to Vietnam as a jet pilot flying in the F-4. He completed 305 combat missions again in the same war zone.

Richardson is the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, numerous Air medals, the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, two Navy Unit Citations and a Marine Corps Unit Citation.

Following his very eventful military career, Richardson flew as a commercial pilot for 29 years with Delta Airlines, retiring as an International Captain, flying the Boeing 767-300ER.

T.J. married his lovely wife Connie in 1989. They have two children and moved to Mesquite in 2001. Mesquite is proud to have them living here.

The Mesquite Veterans Day Parade begins Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. down Mesquite Blvd.