Bands Bring Veterans Day Parade to a New Level

The Boy Scouts handed out American Flags early during the Veteran's Day Parade on Second Street Saturday afternoon. A nice crowd came out to show support for those who put their lives on the line for our Great Country.

In the past the Parade has been a nice event. Lot's of Military Veterans, a few who are currently serving in the Armed Forces, Boy Scouts,ROTC units, Military jeeps, motorcycles, firetrucks, police cars and hot rods were the mainstay. But something was missing. Bands.

I can understand why we have no tanks and other military vehicles but  bands make a parade.

The High School Marching Band competitions are usually wrapping up around the time of the Veterans Day Parade each year. It was  a shame because a Parade without bands is like Christmas without Family. No matter how nice it is, something is missing. This year we had it all.

Bands performed patriotic marches every couple of minutes as the units went by. Politicians on firetrucks. A WWII Jeep with machine gun, then a band, Motorcycles, then a band, Veterans Organizations floats, then a band. It was wonderful. Bands were everwhere. People were waving the flags passed out by the Scouts, some clapped, cheered, sang and everyone had a smile on their face. A was fitting tribute to our service men and women active and retired.

I do believe in the saying, "a picture says a thousand words", so I have posted some photos taken during this years parade.

I hope the people who make up the schedules understand how much bands in the parade mean to everyone. Perhaps they will permanently work things out so the Marching Band season ends in time for our local bands to participate in this yearly salute to our patriots.