101% American
  • Home
  • Reality Check
  • Stuarts-Blog

VETERANS DAY, 2012, MADISON PARK, NYC

11/12/2012

 
Picture
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. 

Picture
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. 

Picture
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.

Yael
11/12/2012 02:18:26 am

It was our pleasure having you attend the parade!! The folks from AWON are a lovely group and later today I will send you a link to the photos that Pete took of them at the Spirit of '45 event a couple of years ago.

Yael
11/13/2012 12:30:50 am

and P.S. You are in the Daily News!!
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/veteran-day-parade-2012-gallery-1.1200435#pmSlide=6


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Author (Yuma, AZ, 1944)

    Being 90 years in this world,  with great kids,  great grandkids, great wives (two, one at a time) and great memories, I wonder why some people seem to have stopped loving the U.S.A.? I will wonder in print right here. If you wonder too, or can provide some answers, please comment.
                                   Stuart Hodes

    Picture
           With my friend, Nero.
                   April, 2012.
        Photo by Ray Madrigal

    Archives

    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly