Volunteers, River Valley Care Center staff members, family members of veterans and three resident veterans from RVCC pose before celebrating Veterans Day at the Marysville Parade. From left are, George Cabrera, Carlos Beebe, resident veteran (Marine), Leslie Vasquez, Desiree Biscotti, resident veteran (Marine), Jonathan Taitague, Beverly Poitras, resident veteran (Army), Tyler Atwood, Rudy Guevara, and Krissie Galindo. Photo courtesy of the River Valley Care Center

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) – River Valley Care Center skilled nursing facility in Live Oak recently went above and beyond to honor their resident veterans and show their respect for service men and women at the Marysville Veterans Day Parade.

River Valley Care Center Ward Clerk Desiree Biscotti organized a special expedition for veterans at the facility, which offers short-term rehab, long-term nursing, and memory care.

The petite, purple-haired dynamo arranged for resident veterans, 2 Marine vets and 1 Army vet, to be featured the on a parade float, and with the help of Carlos Beebe, admissions director for River Valley Care Center, the two made it happen.

On Nov. 11, Biscotti, Beebe, and volunteers from the center helped the resident veterans don their red, white and blue garb, veteran’s hats and grabbed their flags. The crew set their sights on Marysville and transported the three resident veterans to the scene of the celebration.

Two of River Valley Care Center veterans smile with RVCC's Johnathan Taitague. Photo courtesy of the River Valley Care Center

Unable to walk the length of the route, River Valley Care Center obtained a truck and trailer so the veterans, whose names are withheld due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (H.I.P.P.A), could load their wheelchairs aboard, riding safely and comfortably during the parade.

As volunteers and family members assisted River Valley Care Center staff and veterans decorating, Biscotti said that the veterans were overjoyed and excited to be a part of the parade.

Biscotti shares with the Gridley Herald that throughout her career in healthcare services, she’s had the opportunity to work with a multitude of veterans, from Admirals to Pearl Habor Survivors. Her respect runs deep as she reminisces about the stories these individuals told her regarding their personal service in U.S. wars and skirmishes.

“I love my vets,” Biscotti said emphatically.  She references her bright hair and spunky attitude. “Because of them I get to talk like a sailor and have purple hair!” she jokes and then turns serious. “These little freedoms I get because of the sacrifices of the vets.”

Biscotti references how things often considered insignificant, like hair color or the ability to speak freely, cost lives.

This Veteran Resident of River Valley Care Center holds Old Glory proudly as he prepares for the Veterans Day Parade. Photo courtesy of the River Valley Care Center

“If they can do this for me, this (organizing participation in a parade) is the least I can do for them,” Biscotti said.

Biscotti, Beebe, family members of resident veterans and the River Valley Care Center vets proudly walked and rolled down the Veterans Day Parade Route, waving and handing out candy.

The veterans that participated lit up while at the parade.

“It means a lot to them, that’s why I wanted to take them, so they would be honored for their service,” said Biscotti.

This is the first time that River Valley Care Center and their Veterans have been a part of the Veterans Day Parade, and the hope is that they can participate again in the future.

“It was all due to Desiree Biscotti…She had the idea of the facility participating in the parade,” said Beebe. “She hit the ground running and got everything organized. We had such a good time, grateful to all who served our country and representing team River Valley. We are already planning for nest year and hope to make this an annual event.”