Jeff Mercier says the annual Veterans Day parade has been a Cass County tradition at least since the end of World War II.
“If we do not do this, I feel the country will forget who gave us the freedom we enjoy,” said Mercier, the service officer for Galveston American Legion Post 415.
Mercier said the county had a strong history of military service.
“The main reason we hold the parade is to honor the veterans and to maintain and honor the tradition,” he said.
A number of people lined Broadway from Fourth to Seventh streets to observe the parade and pay respect to veterans.
Steve Smith and John Crowe, both of Logansport, said they try to come out every year.
“I came out because first I spent two years in Vietnam,” Smith said. “I also like to be here for those who can’t.”
Crowe said he felt the veterans deserved the time it took him to attend the event.
“This is the least I can do,” he said.
Plus, they said it’s a way to meet up with some old friends.
Both men are veterans of the U.S. Army. Smith served from 1968 until 1970 and Crowe served from 1969 until 1971.
They said the annual parade was an important tradition to continue.
“It’s obvious everything we have is because of the veterans,” said Crowe.
Smith said the jacket he wore to the parade said it all. The jacket read, “All gave some; some gave all.”
Logansport resident Donette McKeever said she attends the Veterans Day parade every year in honor. Her dad and son, she said, are both veterans.
“I don’t think the veterans are appreciated,” she said. “They get lost in the shuffle. They need to get praised, and we need to let them know how much they are appreciated.”
McKeever said there seemed to be more people watching the parade this year, something she said made a positive statement about Cass County residents.
“I think it shows we support our veterans,” she said.
The parade consisted of members of Pioneer, Lewis Cass and Logansport high school bands, Key Club, Boy Scouts, All Saints Catholic School and about 40 veterans.
Mercier said he would like to see the parade continue to grow. He would like to see more children participate and even more entertainment.
Most of the veterans walking in the parade were from World War II and Vietnam, but Mercier said he would like to see the younger generation of military veterans participate next year.
“The World War II veterans are getting too old to walk,” he said. “We need younger support out here.”
During a brief ceremony in front of the City Building, Mayor Mike Fincher said he wanted the community to remember war veterans not only on Veterans Day, but also during every other day of the year.
“It’s our duty to show appreciation to those who fought and died for our country,” he said.
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
SALUTING THE FLAG: Members of the Cass County Honor Guard stand at attention while a bugler plays “Taps” in front of the Logansport City Building after the annual Veterans Day parade.
-
HONORING VETERANS: Four-year-old Jerry Beck-Vail and 3-year-old Colton Vail, both of Burrows, wait for the annual Veterans Day parade to begin in downtown Logansport on Wednesday morning.
Discussion
A day for veterans
Cass County stages its annual Veterans Day parade
- Local News
-
-
Divine decade
Linda Hoffman remembers walking in to the building that houses Emmaus Mission Center Homeless Shelter more than 10 years ago.
-
County ambulance talks continue
Cass County officials met with another private firm last week as they explore which way to go with the county’s obligation to provide ambulance service.
-
City to consider reducing tipping fee
Logansport City Council members plans to discuss decreasing the amount the city receives in tipping fees from Oak Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility at a special meeting tonight.
-
Caston officials discussing $2 million in capital projects
Caston School Corp. officials are eyeing a new bus barn and parking lots as they consider spending about $2 million on capital projects.
-
The state option: Local educators unsure of impacts of ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana last week received a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind act, but local superintendents say the move may just swap one rigid set of guidelines for another without addressing educators’ frustrations.
-
Filings in: Three Republican primaries
Cass County Republicans will cast ballots in three races in the May 8 primary, while Democrats will vote on who to send to the state convention.
-
Logansport officials: Wireless plan not dead
Logansport City Council members last week nixed funding of a $850,000 wireless project approved late last year, but officials say the project is not completely off the radar.
-
Miami County officials say they knew of company’s past issues
Reports that a Texas-based company owed more than $500,000 in back taxes, was behind on its rent and had an executive indicted surfaced about a year before corporate leaders began discussing an expansion to Miami County.
-
Dean Baldwin’s past includes tax payment problems, indictment of executive
An aircraft service provider expanding to Miami County had a blur of bad publicity a few years before announcing its plans to come to the area.
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
A Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School freshman remained hospitalized Friday after being attacked by a classmate with a piece of wood, the school’s principal said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
