On Monday morning, approximately 2,000 participants are expected to march through Folsom for what is sure to be another memorable Wayne Spence Veterans Day Parade rain or shine. For Folsom resident and veteran Col. Joseph Shriber, the 24th edition of the Folsom classic will be especially meaningful. With a decorated military career, Shriber has been selected as the 2024 parade Grand Marshal and is ready to fulfill this honorable role.
“There are three major military holidays: Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day. Veterans Day is particularly significant because it celebrates everyone, especially the living,” Shriber said as he sat with staffers from the City of Folsom and media team to share memories of his career and talk about his important role in the parade.“Memorial Day honors the deceased, while Armed Forces Day is for those on active duty. Veterans Day, to me, is about recognizing everyone and acknowledging their contributions. Veterans have provided us with the peace we enjoy today.”
Born in Ogden, Utah, in 1944, Shriber began his military journey after graduating from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. In 1966, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC). Shriber’s career highlights include service in the Wild Weasel program, an elite operation designed to suppress enemy air defenses during the Vietnam War.
He completed both navigator and electronic warfare training at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento and flew a total of 313 missions, with 193 of those taking him over North Vietnam. His missions, conducted in F-105G and F-4C Wild Weasel aircraft, were critical in protecting other flights entering heavily defended areas.
In 1979, after nine years of active duty, Shriber entered the Air Force Reserves, where he held various significant roles until his retirement in 1995. His duties took him to critical posts around the world, including the Pentagon and the Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii. Shriber’s expertise was called upon during multiple crises, from the Falkland Islands conflict to Operation Desert Storm. Throughout his distinguished service, he rose to the rank of colonel and left an indelible mark on military intelligence and operations.
“I returned to Nellis to attend Wild Weasel School,” Shriber recalled. “My mission involved targeting surface-to-air missile radars (SAMs) in Vietnam. We needed to know the location of the SAMs and how to avoid them to destroy them before they could harm us. That was the essence of the Wild Weasel mission, which I undertook during my three combat tours. Afterward, I transitioned into intelligence work in Germany at the headquarters of the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, stationed at Patch Barracks. I spent about three years there.”
After serving his country overseas, Shriber eventually returned closer to home to Mather Air Force Base.
“Eventually, I wanted to return to the States, having been in Okinawa, Homestead, and then Germany. I left active duty and joined the reserves, retiring from the Air Force in 1995. I continued working until my retirement from Lockheed in 2008, after which I moved here.”
Following his military retirement, Shriber continued his career at Lockheed Martin, where he contributed as a strategic planner until his retirement in 2008. His commitment to service did not end there. Today, he volunteers at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital at Mather and the Aerospace Museum of California, where he shares his knowledge and experience with visitors as a docent. In retirement, Shriber remains strongly interested in the military and often studies and reads about military history, which he is very much a part of.
In 2023, Shriber’s ongoing contributions were recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #StillServing campaign, which celebrates veterans who continue to serve their communities. His philanthropic efforts extend further, as he frequently volunteers in Folsom’s high schools, providing scholarships and mentoring opportunities for young people.
Folsom’s annual Veterans Day Parade has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated events, drawing more than 2,000 participants, including veterans, color guards, civic organizations, and community groups. However, the event began with a humble origin: Folsom resident Wayne Spence launched the parade as a one-man march through the city, dedicated to honoring veterans. Spence’s vision inspired others to join, and the parade evolved into a significant local tradition, now spanning multiple streets with a wide array of participants.
Each year, regardless of the day of the week, the parade takes place on Veterans Day itself, symbolizing Folsom’s dedication to honoring its heroes. This year, the City of Folsom has selected Col. Joseph Shriber as the Grand Marshal. A distinguished Air Force veteran, Shriber’s military service and dedication to the community have earned him this prestigious honor.
To accommodate the parade, the Folsom Police Department will enforce temporary street closures along the route. East Bidwell Street will close to traffic from 8 to 11 a.m., and Natoma Street from Coloma Street to Wales Drive will close from approximately 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. Detours will be in place, and motorists are encouraged to use Riley and School Streets as alternate routes.
For attendees, gathering along any of the parade route streets offers a great view. This year, Folsom Times will also be live streaming the entire parade for those who can’t attend in person. It will be available to watch live or afterward on the Folsom Times YouTube Live Channel. The parade will take place rain or shine, underscoring Folsom’s enduring commitment to honoring its veterans.
© Folsom Times, All Town Media LLC
