Parade unifies community Published June 1, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Travis Airmen, family members and the community gathered Saturday in the 55th annual Vacaville Fiesta Days parade in downtown Vacaville to display community support and Travis pride. The Vacaville Fiesta Days event officially began on the same streets in July 1957 as a celebration of Spring, according to fiestadays.org. While the parade carries a wider variety of participants than its beginnings 55 years ago, the idea remains the same - the unification of a community. "It's important to come out and support these community events," said Staff Sgt. Stephanie James, 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief executive. "It's an opportunity for a lot of people to see how everyone's role in the community ties together." In regards to the approaching social pillar Wingman Day, the parade is an accurate example on a larger scale of how interaction, support and reliance on those in your surroundings lead to a more successful unit. Col. Dwight Sones, 60th AMW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. John Evalle, 60th AMW command chief, along with family members, led the way in the parade for two Travis humvees and the Airmen volunteers. The parade watchers who lined the streets lauded, cheered and whistled as the Airmen and their families passed by, yelling their thanks and appreciations for their service. Master Sgt. Stephen Cooney, 60th AMW judge advocate, volunteered for the parade because he views it as a good way to communicate with the community. "It's nice to see everyone and their families, military and civilian, having a good time in one setting," he said. Travis and the community maintain a strong relationship through consistent communication and participation in events. This allows the base and the community to better understand how the other operates and functions.