(Clearwisdom.net) The 89^th Annual Veterans Day Parade was held on November 9, 2008 in San Francisco, featuring over a hundred entries. Falun Gong was invited to take part in the parade, and was warmly received by spectators along the parade route. The parade organizer said that they appreciated Falun Gong's participation, and said, "What a beautiful band! We welcome them to our parade every year."

Falun Gong practitioners participate in the parade

Divine Land Marching Band performs "America the Beautiful"

It was a sunny day in San Francisco after earlier rains. The parade marched along bustling Market Street, and concluded in front of City Hall. Falun Gong practitioners walking in the front held banners reading "Falun Dafa " and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," and behind them were the Divine Land Marching Band and the exercise demonstration group. Practitioners in golden exercise costumes demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises to the public to the accompaniment of serene music.

The Divine Land Marching Band performed "America the Beautiful" in front of the main stage. The parade organizer Mr. Huang Guoren, said that the American constitution protects people's freedom of speech. "Falun Dafa's participation in the parade is carrying out the application of freedom. Our veterans like this freedom, we support this freedom. It is everybody's right endowed by the constitution."

Rachel, a middle-aged lady visiting from Israel said excitedly, "Fantastic! Wonderful! It is the first time I've see them." A young couple from South Africa also exclaimed, "Beautiful!"

A man standing at a bus station applauded after the Divine Land Marching Band finished performing one piece of music. He knew that pro-communist personnel in San Francisco prevented Falun Gong from participating in the Chinese New Year Parade. He told the reporter, "They look great. I'm very glad to see them!"

When the Falun Gong contingent passed by, some practitioners distributed truth clarification materials to the spectators. Some expressed their thanks to the practitioners, and offered their best wishes.