Huge Veterans Appreciation Parade Steps Off Today

This article was submitted by Henry Collins.

Gold Star families and veterans from every era will be honored Saturday, June 4, with a parade and field day in town.

The parade will step off at 10 a.m. from the middle school on Forest Avenue, and wend its way down Humphrey Street past the monument, down Burrill Street and conclude at the high school on Essex Street.

 The communities of the North Shore have always played a major role in history, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are no exception. To date, cities and towns on the North Shore have buried 10 of its sons and daughters. 

"The North Shore has paid a heavy toll in Iraq and Afghanistan and we have planned this parade and special day to honor families who have lost family members in the conflicts," said Swampscott VFW Post 1240 Commander John Sacherski.  "This parade and field day has been in the works for four years and will offer a fitting tribute to those who have been killed and all veterans who have served their country."

While final details are still being completed, the parade will feature units from each branch of the service, military-style bands, fife and drum bands, military vehicles, re-enactment troops and honor guards and military units from around New England.

 The Air Force and Coast Guard are scheduled to have jets execute a flyover at the reviewing stand on the monument during the parade.

"With the brave men and women of the United States military defending freedom all across the world, this is an important day for the North Shore," Sacherski said. "We need to show our support and commitment to those serving today and to those who served previously."

 At the end of the parade route, a field day featuring a Black Hawk helicopter, rock-climbing wall, display of vintage and current military vehicles as well as demonstrations and exhibits will be on display on the lower field of the high school.

An Air Force rock band will be performing during the day and refreshments will be available.

Here is the parade roster

DIVISION 1

COMBINED MILITARY COLOR GUARD (7)

CT GOVERNORS FOOT GUARD COLOR GUARD  (8)

MIDDLESEX COUNTY VOLUNTEERS FIFES & DRUMS  (25)

GLOVERS REGIMENT (10)

2ND MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT (10)

NATIONAL LANCERS MOUNTED UNIT (8) 

6th MAINE BATTERY (Truck w/cannon )(8)

5th MASS BATTERY (Truck w/cannon)(8)

28TH MASSACHUSETTS INF. (15)

CAMPBELL HIGHLANDERS PIPES & DRUMS (15)

COMPANY E, GLORY BRIGADE (12)

1ST NH CAVALRY MOUNTED UNIT (8)

DIVISION 2

YANKEE DIVISION 102ND WW1 (4)

26TH YD/82nd AIRBORNE (10)

WWII JEEP (26YD) (1)

WWII JEEP (26YD) (1)

101ST AIRBORNE (JEEP) (8)

STUART HIGHLANDERS PIPES & DRUMS (18-20)

WWII JEEP (Dan) (1)

WWII JEEP (Dan) (1)

WWII RADIO TRUCK (Dan) (1)

M-8 VEHICLE (Dan) (2)

WWII TRUCK (Dan) (1)

BREN GUN CARRIER (TRACKED) (Dan) (2) 

WWII TRUCK (5 TON) (Dan) (1)

WWII HALF-TRACK (Dan) (2)

CHAFFEE TANK (Dan) (3)

WWII TRUCK (5 TON) (Winthrop) (1)

WWII WRECKER (Winthrop) (1)

WWII HALF-TRACK (Winthrop) (1)

WWII DUCK (Winthrop) (1)

 WWII TRUCK (1)

 WWII JEEP (1)

WWII WRECKER (MíHead) (1)

WWII TRUCK (1)

KOREA REENACTORS/W JEEP (3)                             

VIETNAM REENACTORS W/JEEP (4)

DIVISION 3

US ARMY COLOR GUARD (4)

US MARINE COLOR GUARD (4)

US MARINE HUMVEE (2)

BOSTON CRUSADERS BRASS BAND (25) 

US NAVY COLOR GUARD (4)

US AIR FORCE COLOR GUARD (4)

US AIR FORCE JROTC

US AIR FORCE STREET JET (1)

US COAST GUARD COLOR GUARD (4)

CURRENT HUMVEE W/HOWITZER (1)

CURRENT AMBULANCE (1)

CURRENT HUMVEE W/HOWITZER (1)

CURRENT AMBULANCE (1)

CURRENT FIRE TRUCK (1)

CURRENT HMET (1)

BRIDGEWATER BRASS BAND (15)

DIVISION 4

SWAMPSCOTT PD COLOR GUARD (6)

SWAMPSCOTT FD COMBINED CG (10)

MSP COLOR GUARD (6)

MSP PIPES & DRUMS (18-20)

LYNN PD COLOR GUARD w/marchers (10)

SALEM PD COLOR GUARD (5)

TRANSIT PD COLOR GUARD (5)

NAHANT PD COLOR GUARD (4)

SAUGUS PD COLOR GUARD??

IRISH COLUMN PIPES & DRUMS (15-20)

ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT. COLOR GUARD (5)

SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT. COLOR GUARD W/MCíS (7)

DIVISION 5

WWII JEEP (Manny) (2)

VFW POST 1240 COLOR GUARD (4)

VFW MARBLEHEAD COLOR GUARD (4)

VFW SALEM COLOR GUARD (4)

MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART 

LYNN HS BAND (20)

AMERICAN LEGION NAHANT CG

AMERICAN LEGION BEVERLY CG

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE CG

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE (STATE) CG

2ND MARINE DIVISION ASSOC. CG

DAV COLOR GUARD

PLAV COLOR GUARD

WINDJAMMERS BRASS BAND

SUBMARINERS MíHEAD BASE

TROLLEY W/WWII/KOREA VETERANS

VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA

VIETNAM GUN TRUCK (VVA)

VIETNAM DUCK (VVA)

DESERT STORM/GWOT VETERANS

FLOAT W/PAINTINGS (KIAíS)

 VARIOUS VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS

VETERANS OF TOMORROW

PATRIOTS CHEERLEADERS

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The North Shore honor roll: Army Specialist Stephen Fortunato, Beverly; Army Specialist Gabriel Palacios and Marine Lance Cpl. Walter O'Haire Lynn; Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Piper, Marblehead; Army Specialist Daniel Cunningham, Revere; Army Sgt. James Ayube and Army Sgt. Benjamin Mejia, Salem; Marine Cpl. Scott Procopio, Saugus; Marine Capt. Jennifer Harris and Army Specialist Jared Raymond, Swampscott.