Honoring Our Heroes: 2026 Grand Marshals
While the San Diego Veterans Day Parade honors veterans from every generation and branch of service, this year's Grand Marshals hold a special connection to Operation Desert Storm as we commemorate its 35th anniversary.
Each of our distinguished Grand Marshals brings a unique story of military service, dedication and sacrifice. Together, they represent the thousands of men and women who answered the call to duty during Operation Desert Storm and whose contributions remain an important part of our nation's history. We are proud to recognize these remarkable individuals and share their stories of service.
Senator Mark Kelly
Lead Grand MarshalSenator Mark Kelly is a retired U.S. Navy combat pilot, engineer and NASA astronaut. He lives in Tucson with his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Mark took office in December 2020 after Arizonans elected him to fill out the remainder of the late Senator John McCain’s term. In 2022, Arizonans elected him to a full six-year term in the Senate.
Mark is the son of two union police officers, and he attended public schools from elementary school through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. As a naval aviator he made two deployments on the aircraft carrier the USS Midway (CV-41) and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. He has logged more than 5,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft and completed over 375 carrier landings
Mark was selected as an astronaut in 1996 in the same class as his twin brother, Scott. He flew his first of four missions into space in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, the same space shuttle he commanded on its final flight in May 2011. Mark has spent more than 50 days in space and has lived on the International Space Station.
Mark and Gabby were married in 2007. After an assassination attempt nearly took Gabby’s life, she retired from Congress, but has continued her important work and remains Mark’s partner and best friend.
Gabby and Mark live frequently play host to their granddaughter, Sage. Mark’s daughter Claire recently graduated from Arizona State University and his oldest daughter Claudia, a student at the University of Arizona, lives in Tucson.
Chief Petty Officer Wardell “Gill” Gillespie, USN
Grand MarshalChief Petty Officer Wardell Gillespie served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Desert Storm as a cryptologic technician specializing in electronic intelligence. Serving aboard Navy patrol aircraft, warships and at shore stations, he analyzed high-stakes, critical intelligence data to enhance situational awareness and support combat readiness for U.S. and allied nations operating throughout the Persian Gulf during the war. His military service also included later deployments to Iraq.
Capt. Cindy Perry, USN (Ret.)
Grand MarshalRetired Capt. Cindy Perry joined the U.S. Navy in 1970 while a senior at the University of Missouri. She served as a Navy nurse from 1970-1999 and retired as commanding officer of the Naval School of Health Sciences in San Diego. One of the highlights of her career was the rapid deployment (in four days), from August 1990- April 1991 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm on the Hospital Ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.
Seared in her memory are the injured sailors from the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-7) who were flown to and cared for on the Comfort and the deathly, dark skies off the coast of Kuwait, with the ominously thick choking smoke from the oil wells set on fire.
Petty Officer 1st Class Ruben “Chato” Hinojosa Jr., USN
Grand MarshalPetty Officer Ruben “Chato” Hinojosa Jr. is a U.S. Navy veteran who served Amphibious Fleet Task Force 156 during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Storm. During the war, he directly supported shipboard amphibious sailors, Marines and Naval Special Warfare combatant-craft operations. Following his military service, he became an accomplished artist, drawing inspiration from his heritage as a member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas.
Known for his fine art donations to many charitable organizations, Ruben is also a dedicated to advocating for those with disabilities, and is represented and member by Paralyzed Veterans Of America.
Lt. Colonel Susan Inot, USA (Ret.)
Grand MarshalRetired Lt. Colonel Susan Inot, is a San Diego native. Susan has an undergraduate degree from San Diego State University, a Master’s degree at University of San Diego, and a postgraduate from University of California San Diego. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during her senior year in college under the student nurse program, she spent three years on active duty and 25 years in the Army Ready Reserve. Susan was recalled to active duty when the 129th Evacuation Hospital was deployed to the Middle East in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Susan was an active nurse for 44 years before retiring in 2015.
Capt. Dan Hacker, USN (Ret.)
Grand MarshalRetired Capt. Dan Hacker served more than 26 years in the U.S. Navy, earning his wings as a naval aviator in 1970. Throughout his distinguished career, he held three commands, including two squadron commands and as commander of Carrier Air Wing 2 on the USS Constellation (CV-64). He logged nearly 1,000 aircraft carrier landings.
During Operation Desert Storm, Dan served aboard USS Ranger (CV-61) as Carrier Group 7’s operations officer in the Persian Gulf. He also flew multiple combat missions with Sea Control Squadron 38 (VS-38) during the Gulf War. His military honors include three Legions of Merit, a Bronze Star and three Meritorious Service awards.
Following his retirement from the Navy in 1996, he continued his aviation career with Alaska Airlines until 2006. Since 2005, he has proudly served as a volunteer docent aboard the USS Midway Museum, sharing his naval aviation experience and inspiring future generations.