"We don't know them all, but we honor them all for there service."
My friend and biking partner Bill, who is out of town visiting family recommended I ride my bike to downtown San Jose
to attend the Veterans Day Parade, which continues a 104-year old tradition honoring those who served in the armed forces. The 21-mile loop, mostly done on nature trails unimpeded by car traffic was an excellent idea. It allowed me to get some exercise
and celebrate Veterans Day in honor of those who served, including my late dad, Frank, and late uncles, Anthony and Joseph Augustine who were all stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Not having to worry about parking, I managed to get a birds-eye view of the celebratory event on the street side of the security guard rail. U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Anne Swap, served as the grand marshal. She is the National Capital Region market director at the Defense Agency, which includes Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where my dad served as a chaplain’s aide to U.S. Army Captain, William Walsh, who was also his mentor and friend.
The procession included military units, elected officials, vintage vehicles and scout troops, along with marching bands and first responders. The parade was preceded by a ceremony at the reviewing stand across from Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
Postscript: Dad, who was 97 at the time, received a two distinguished service medals and a Citation Certificate along with 80 other vets in the grand rotunda of the Justice Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, NJ on April 15, 2014. The event was a joint effort by Hudson County Executive, Thomas A. DeGise, the Office of Veteran Affairs, and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Chaired by Anthony Romano. During the same event he also received a Proclamation from the Office of the Mayor of Hoboken at the time, Dawn Zimmer that was presented to him by his 6th ward councilwoman, Jennifer Cattino.
