Vietnam veteran Keith Colston, who marches because he is proud of his military service, described the event as “one of those patriotic things with music playing softly in the background.”
Although the CNY Veterans Parade is not a new celebration, for the last two years, Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D-120th) worked to take the parade from a small event to a huge shindig. Many veterans agree that Magnarelli’s involvement largely affected the amount of people who will attend and participate in the parade.
“He saw that interest and participation in the parade was dwindling,” explained his assistant, Diana LaMattina Abdella. “He wanted to make sure the veterans get the recognition that they deserve.”
Robert McLean, a former Marine and the director of the Veterans Service Agency for Onondaga County, agreed that Magnarelli’s efforts helped unite several different agencies in the community for the purposes of expanding the parade. McLean worked on the parade committee for the last two years and has noticed the gradual increase in the participation numbers. “This year promises to be even better,” McLean said.
Inside the War Memorial: The wall of names of Onondaga County veterans merits attention. MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO
The 2009 parade added some new components to the previous year’s event. One feature, which Abdella described as a “highlight,” is the fly-over presented by the U.S. Air National Guard 174th Fighter Wing in F-16 aircrafts at noon. Because F-16s will soon be replaced by unmanned aircraft, this flight may be one of their last.
Spectators can also enjoy self-guided tours at the War Memorial after the conclusion of the parade. A new kiosk at the memorial allows visitors to search for their name or a family member’s name in the database. Then visitors can inquire where the name is on the memorial and how to locate it. If the name of a veteran is not on the memorial, the person may apply to have the name put on the wall.
As for the event itself, all the veterans and veterans groups marching are from Central New York. The parade acts as an opportunity for the community to support those who made sacrifices for freedom.
“Veterans are in every part of the community. It is interesting to see just how many vets there are,” said Abdella. “It is important to show support and say thank you.”
Mike Lanasa, who spent 26 years in the Army before retiring as a lieutenant colonel, agreed that an important aspect of the event is getting people to see their veterans. “It also gets the older veterans out to participate in an event that honors them,” said Lanasa, who works to assist in “any veteran event that is going to advance the veterans organizations in the community.”
McLean thinks another important aspect of the parade is drawing attention to the many veteran organizations such as the Veterans Service Agency that work to help veterans 365 days a year.
“For most, if not all, veterans, the time when they were serving their country is a time in their lives that they most readily identify with and will never forget. {The parade} is gratifying for them and their families. They look forward to this. We try to help them all year long,” said McLean. “We need to remember all year long.”
For veterans, however, remembering, honoring and celebrating their military service can be just as exciting as other aspects of the parade. McLean, for example, enjoys putting on his old uniform again. Lanasa anticipates interacting with other men and women in the services. “Just seeing the military out there, the camaraderie that we have,” said Lanasa. “It’s about getting out there and having a good time.”
For those who plan to line the streets and watch the parade, free downtown parking is available all day. Spectators may park at any of the meter spots downtown, on Erie Boulevard East in Lot 3, or in Lot 21 located at Washington and Clinton streets. For more information on the event, call 428-9651.
