Rose Parade 2024: ‘Coding for Veterans’ wins awards and hearts
Coding for Veterans's float "Sounds of Success" earned the most outstanding float from outside the United States award at the 135th Rose Parade.
Coding for Veterans “Sounds of Success” float rides in the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
In its very first year participating in the Rose Parade, Canadian nonprofit organization “Coding for Veterans” not only earned the best international float award but gave one American military family the surprise of the year.
The organization helps servicemen and women from the U.S. and Canadian Armed Forces transition from public service to the private sector, providing training in the burgeoning fields of cyber security and software development.
Coding for Veterans xe2x80x9cSounds of Successxe2x80x9d float rides in the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A flyover featuring the Tiger Squadron, a precision formation flying and aircraft display team, graced the sky in honor of the Coding for Veterans” float. Photo: Dorothy Elder, SCNG
Coding for Veterans float xe2x80x9cSounds of Successxe2x80x9d winner of the International Award during the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)
The Coding for Veterans float xe2x80x9cSounds of Successxe2x80x9d winner of the International award during the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cpl. Gilbert Gradillas , right, looks at his son after surprising his wife, Hannah, at the Coding for Veterans float before the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Gradillas was serving overseas before surprising his wife and son at the parade. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Jeffrey Musson, Executive Director of Coding for Veterans, stands in front of the groups Rose Parade float as volunteers begin dry decorating at Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Hannah Gradillas, right, embraces her husband, Cpl. Gilbert Gradillas , after a surprise reunion at the Coding for Veterans float before the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Gradillas was serving overseas before surprising his wife and son at the parade. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
They work with the University of Ottawa and recently partnered with the University of Southern California to offer their online training courses that get former service members certification, sometimes in just months.
Making their Rose Parade debut, “Coding for Veterans,” rode down Colorado Boulevard in their float “Sounds of Success,” featuring a large animated laptop meant to demonstrate their new, tech-oriented post-military career.
But of course there’s also a fighter jet shooting flares, a Black Hawk helicopter with working rotors and tail, and a replica F-35 Lightning II jet to symbolize their sacrifice.
Tiger Squadron Flyover during the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)
As they passed by parade goers, the Tiger Squadron, a precision formation flying and aircraft display team, graced the sky above with a flyover.
Before the parade, as the morning cold warmed into excited anticipation, Cpl. Gilbert Gradillas gave his wife a New Year’s miracle.
After not seeing his wife or son for 8 months while stationed overseas, the marine surprised them by popping out behind the float they would all soon be riding on.
“We didn’t know anything,” she said, as they embraced and shed happy tears.
“I am super happy,” Gradillas said, unable to stop smiling. “I can’t believe I am here right now.”
