November 10, 2010

Spotlight on…….

Veteran’s Day

And

Marvin Hume

Growing up in a small town in New England, parades were always a big event.  Normally I was not watching them, but as a member of the band/girl scout troop/sports team, I was marching in them.  When you marched in them, you were part of the opening and closing ceremonies as well.  I remember many of them ending at cemeteries where we laid wreaths and flags on the grave stones.  Memorable experiences even for an elementary school kid.

I always enjoy watching small town parades.  It brings me back.  Not that I don’t enjoy the NYC parades. I certainly do, but they are on a much larger, grander  scale.  I have seen many over my years in the city, but the one I try to attend every year is the Veteran’s Day Parade.  It is one parade where having it on a larger scale makes even more of an impact.

Veteran’s Day originally began as Armistice Day, in commemoration with the signing of the Armistice ending World War I.  November 11 officially became Veterans Day 0n May 24, 1954 by an Act of Congress.  It is the day set aside to honor all of those who have fought and served in the defense of our country, in times of war and of peace.

The Veterans Day Parade in New York City has been organized since 1929.  Over 20,000 people participate in the parade each year. It begins with a wreath laying ceremony at The Eternal Flame in Madison Square Park.  This year’s parade marks the 91st Anniversary. The New York City Veteran’s Day Parade is the oldest and largest of its kind in the nation.

Regardless of how I personally may feel about war or a particular war in general, it is a day I need to put my feelings aside. It is a day that I need to respect, honor and thank all of those who have sacrificed, and served our country.  It is extremely emotional to see the veterans as they parade by.  They have preserved our freedom and have made sacrifices that I thankfully, did not have to make.

We may not get the chance to thank our WWII vets for much longer as they are up there in years.  And for that reason, even though this may be more of a Memorial Day tribute, I would like to spotlight Marvin Hume of New Jersey.  Marvin, a WWII navy vet himself, bought the Sunset Beach Souvenir Shop in Cape May, New Jersey in 1973.  The old owner had flown a flag daily and asked Marvin if he would mind keeping the tradition.  He had the idea of using a casket flag.  A casket flag is the flag a family is awarded for a deceased veteran.

Marvin put an ad in the paper seeking people who had a casket flag to use in the flag lowering ceremony.  One ad ….in 1973…..and he’s never had to seek another flag. People kept coming, bringing flags  and spreading the word.  They have never been without a flag in almost 40 years.  The flag ceremonies, which start on Memorial Day and run through mid-October, are booked through next year. He shows that each service person has a story, a family, and it is a way of honoring their sacrifice again.

Here is a video from Comcast that will show more of Marvin’s story. You may have to cut and paste it on your browser, but it is well worth the watch.  And from me to Marvin and all the other veterans……a very sincere and heartfelt thank you.

 http://www.comcast.net/video/honoring-fallen-vets/1536192981/

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