MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG
Veteran’s Day, 2012,
Madison Sq Park, NYC
The first row of the audience, reserved for WW-II vets, had a fine view of the VIP stand when the phalanxes of photographers thinned. An old vet in uniform blouse with corporal stripes and medals, grabbed a woman and danced to the marches. Spry, with a cute gap-toothed smile, he attracted many lenses.
Short speeches by VIPs included Mayor Bloomberg, a Coast Guard Admiral, the Korean ambassador, and one of the two Medal of Honor winners present, while others sat silent including Senator Schumer, Congressman Rangel, Police Commissioner Kelly and ex-Mayor Ed Koch, who walks with a cane now and seemed to be asleep some of the time. Showing up at public functions is in his blood.
Madison Sq Park, NYC
The first row of the audience, reserved for WW-II vets, had a fine view of the VIP stand when the phalanxes of photographers thinned. An old vet in uniform blouse with corporal stripes and medals, grabbed a woman and danced to the marches. Spry, with a cute gap-toothed smile, he attracted many lenses.
Short speeches by VIPs included Mayor Bloomberg, a Coast Guard Admiral, the Korean ambassador, and one of the two Medal of Honor winners present, while others sat silent including Senator Schumer, Congressman Rangel, Police Commissioner Kelly and ex-Mayor Ed Koch, who walks with a cane now and seemed to be asleep some of the time. Showing up at public functions is in his blood.
UNITED WE SING TRIO
A Coast Guard band played as well as any high school outfit (except the one at Music and Art). A girl trio called United We Sing, managed not to look frigid in their sleeveless dresses, maybe because they were so hot musically. Three strong voices as perfectly blended as the Andrews sisters, singing military oldies like “Off we go, into the wild blue yonder...”
One of the Medal of Honor winners, a Vietnam vet, recalled returning home to the disdain of the U.S. public, saying that if their country wouldn’t welcome them, they always welcomed each other. His bitterness was still raw.
One of the Medal of Honor winners, a Vietnam vet, recalled returning home to the disdain of the U.S. public, saying that if their country wouldn’t welcome them, they always welcomed each other. His bitterness was still raw.
AMERICAN WW-ii ORPHANS NETWORK
When the parade formed , I was urged to sit in the WW-II float with other codgers and their wives, but managed to convince wardens that I would not likely drop dead and ruin the day. I marched with two women holding a banner for American World War II Orphans Network. Bright and upbeat, they were evidence that war casualties pass down generations, and also that what is called the “Greatest Generation” left something great in their daughters and sons.
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