Former assemblyman and Afghanistan War veteran Jeff Gorell will serve as Grand Marshal when the annual Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Main Street for the 27th time in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 14.

The theme of this year’s parade, which begins in front of Mission San Buenaventura at 10 a.m., is “Honoring Our Troops.”

Gorell represented the 37th District in the California Assembly from 2010 to 2012, and after the decennial redistricting, the 44th District from 2012-2014. Just before the Nov. 2, 2010 general election, Gorellannounced that he was being deployed to Afghanistan on March 18, 2011 as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.It marked Gorell’s second year-long tour of duty in Afghanistan; his first started three weeks after 9/11 in 2001.

Upon winning, Gorell spent less than three months in office before becoming the first sitting California lawmaker since World War II to be called into active military duty overseas. During his deployment, 14 bills were sponsored in his name. Gorelllater served as vice-chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee and now serves as Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

The whole county will be turning out in green on Main Street on March 14. Last year’s parade drew over 90 entries, including floats sponsored by civic groups, nonprofits and local businesses and restaurants; marching bands; car clubs; horses; clowns and the Biggest Green Pig in the World. There also will be high school pep bands, youth groups and fun-loving adult groups entered in the parade.

The Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which ends at Laurel Street, is presented by the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430. The event’s committee is accepting entries for the parade. For entry forms or more information about the parade, visit www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com, or call 643-4275.