(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the 104th annual Veterans Day Parade in San Francisco on November 10, 2024, and their performance was well-praised by both the host and spectators. 

Spectators welcomed Falun Dafa practitioners during the 104th annual Veterans Day Parade on November 10 in San Francisco. 

The host introduced Falun Dafa practitioners and praised their performance. 

The parade started off at Fisherman’s Wharf at 11 a.m., from Embarcadero Boulevard to Jefferson Street. The U.S. Navy, Army, and Air Force, various marching bands, and flag teams joined the event. Thousands of people participated in or watched the parade. 

When the U.S. Western Tian Guo Marching Band, exercise demo, and waist drum walked past the stage, the host introduced them and said Falun Dafa is based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The host also said the practitioners’ performance was superb. 

U.S. Navy Vice Admiral: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is Very Meaningful

U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Joseph Mulloy said the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performance is excellent. 

Joseph Mulloy, a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral who watched the parade on stage, said he liked the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performance very much. The melodies were outstanding and their performance was very professional. He could feel positive energy from the music and the practitioners’ synchronization was good. 

Mulloy said he was glad to see Falun Dafa practitioners in the parade every year. The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are very meaningful to him and people should be nice to each other, he added. 

Core Values We Should Follow

Former unit commander Steve Dolgin

Former unit commander Steve Dolgin said he embraced the American National Anthem played by Tian Guo Marching Band. 

“The band members are talented and their performance is extraordinary,” he added. Dolgin said hearing the music made him proud to be a veteran. He also agreed with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance said they are important for everyone. 

Deputy Chief: Falun Dafa Is Great

Shayne Kaialoa from the San Francisco Fire Department

Shayne Kaialoa, Deputy Chief of Administration at the San Francisco Fire Department, said he previously heard of Falun Dafa. He considered Falun Dafa very important for our society because the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are the foundation of society and they help us to be better citizens. These principles are critical for mankind. 

He praised practitioners for following these principles to be better people and said this will benefit our society. He also said it’s wrong for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to suppress practitioners. 

Vietnam War veteran Bill Fong

Bill Fong, a Vietnam War veteran originally from Guangdong Province in China, said he liked the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He supported the freedom of belief and opposed authoritarian regimes that suppress people. Freedom is invaluable and he supports practitioners’ rights. 

Mr. Zhao from Hong Kong said he witnessed how the CCP mistreats innocent people. The regime has now deprived Hong Kong residents of their freedom, and he is aware of the CCP’s persecution against Falun Dafa. This is wrong because Falun Dafa is important for our society and people have the right to choose what they believe. 

Tourists: We Need to Cherish These Values

Nancy Cosentino from Argentina

Nancy Cosentino from Argentina said she was happy to see Falun Dafa practitioners in San Francisco. She explained that there are many practitioners in Argentina and Falun Dafa’s teachings are very important. Our world really needs the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance especially now. 

Lucas from Valley Springs

Lucas lives in Valley Springs, about two hours from San Francisco. He stopped to watch the Tian Guo Marching Band rehearse. Impressed by the music, he said the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are what we need since they can guide us in many ways, and the CCP should not persecute Falun Dafa practitioners. 

Vietnam War veteran Mike Jusino

Mike Jusino is a Vietnam War veteran. He said the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performance was awesome. He wanted to salute the practitioners for their efforts. He also agreed with the values of Falun Dafa since being honest makes us feel good and helps us lead a better life. 

Cheryl and Kim said they were happy to meet practitioners. 

Retired teacher Cheryl and her husband Kim said they meditated every day. They were happy to meet practitioners and liked their performance very much. This included the music, the costumes, and the values that Falun Dafa represents. 

Cheryl said they were fortunate to meet practitioners during the parade, otherwise they wouldn’t have heard about Falun Dafa. She said that our society needs the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, especially right now. 

A Better Community

Guillermo Suarez (left) and Jeffrey Jenkins (right) participated in the parade. 

Dressed in a World War I captain’s uniform, parade participant Guillermo Suarez said he enjoyed the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performance and was impressed by the band members’ good coordination. He said Falun Dafa practitioners represent San Francisco and bring positive energy to this area. 

Actor and producer Jeffrey Jenkins also wore a World War I captain’s uniform and said he was glad to meet practitioners and was surprised to hear all of them were volunteers. This is the best gift for the community, he added. 

Vietnam War veteran Manny Sanchez.

Manny Sanchez, a Vietnam War veteran, thanked practitioners for their contribution and said he admired their great teamwork. He looked forward to seeing them in future events because people need to support each other.