The parade took place at Fort Vancouver on November 7, and included a number of organizations such as the Papermaker Marching Band from Camas High School, and Air Force Junior ROTC members from Prairie High School, who came out to honor the vets. In attendance were Ralph Ladke, 95, and Paul Johnson, 97, who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Colonel Paul Fitzgerald of the Oregon Air National Guard quoted the first President, George Washington, who said the willingness of young people to serve in a war, regardless of how justified the conflict:
“...shall be directly proportional with how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”
Acknowledging Washington’s sentiment, Fitzgerald said, is what Veterans Day is all about, and this year’s ceremony is particularly relevant, since it comes when the country is reevaluating its treatment of veterans.
Vietnam veteran Ron Mullins also watched the parade, wearing a sweatshirt and hat that made his veteran status clear. He said several people thanked him for his service, and he was happy to be honored in this regard.
Event organizers might want to work with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for next year’s event, thus bringing out even more attendees to enjoy the parade.