You expect to see flags in a parade, but these are a bit more.
It was 56° with gusting winds at 11:00 on 11-11-2014 when the parade stepped off - but both sun and people turned out for the march down Central Avenue past the State Capitol building.
Photos below the Orange Omnilepticon.
Each flag stands for 10 of those from the NY Capital Region, who fell in the service of their country.
Gold Star mothers - lest we forget.
More information about them.
Blue Star mothers.
Supporting the troops - and
those who wait for them.
Sea Cadets on the march.
Fife and Drums - traditional military music.
Vietnam Vets, watching as units line up, waiting their turn.
This, if I've identified it correctly, is a "
Stuart" light tank.
This looks like an
M3 armored scout car.
This vintage Army truck is carrying representatives of the local
Patriot Flight organization.
We fly our local veterans to Washington, DC to visit and reflect at their memorials for their service, sacrifices and memories.
Top priority is given to the senior Veterans - WW II Survivors along with other Veterans from any war that have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, those with too few tomorrows. Subsequent priorities are given to Korean and then Vietnam War Veterans.
The day trip from Albany, NY to Washington D.C., is provided at no cost to the veteran. The Veterans are flown back to Albany, NY the same day, where they receive a warm welcome home from the community.
Patriot Flight Inc. services a seven county area including Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Greene, Washington, and Columbia Counties as well as parts of Vermont and Massachusetts.
There are those who are ready to put their lives on the line every day for America - it's fitting they get a spot in the parade as well, even if they don't serve in the military. They still serve.
There was a good-sized contingent of Girl Scouts.
Boy Scouts turned out as well.
And, there were numerous High School Bands, and other musical groups in the parade.
Mohonasen High School Band.
Christian Brothers Academy
Schalmont High School
From the viewpoint of someone in the parade, it's always wonderful to see a good crowd turn out.
This is looking down Central Avenue, in Albany, NY from near the start of the parade. The parade runs all the way down Central, just past
the Smith Building, that tall building in the far distance.
Veterans For Peace had a contingent in the parade - and if anyone has a right to an opinion about war, they do. One of their signs asked a question: "How's that war economy working out for you?
Just up the Hudson River from Albany is
Troy, NY - the home of Uncle Sam. It wouldn't be a parade without him - or
the Uncle Sam Chorus.
The Vietnam Veterans in the line of March.
Bringing up the rear of the parade...
The Patriot Guard Riders - always there.
Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Veterans Day - three days out of the entire year when we take time as a nation to remember those who have served, and those who are serving now. I hope you found time to make your own observances, and my thanks to those who have, and those who are serving the country, whether you're wearing a uniform or not. Here's a reminder for the rest of the year I found while walking back to my car afterwards.
Townsend Park, Albany, NY.