The annual Veterans Day ceremony and parade in San Jose was off to a wet start Monday, but it did not put a damper on the festivities.

San Jose held its 105th Veterans Day Parade on Monday, despite a downpour. Riding in a red Mercedes was 100-year-old former Army medic Cpl. Al Alvarado, who was among the troops that stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day in 1944.

Thanks to a monumental effort from a number of companies, civic organizations and individuals, the 106th annual Veterans Day parade hit the streets of downtown San Jose on Monday despite the rain. The grand marshal for this year’s celebration was retired U.