Scrapbook: Veterans Parade Makes History

The Swampscott Veterans Appreciation Parade both captured a sense of history and made history on Saturday.

Years in the making, the roster included historical re-enactors, soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.

It had representatives from each era of US military history.

That was the plan, said Jim Schultz, who along with nine others organized and raised funds for the parade.

Thousands of people enjoyed the show.

They gathered at the staging area, along Humphrey Street and the review stand, along Burrill, Essex and at the high school.

After the Black Hawk helicopter lifted off the ground and did a circle above Lower Jackson field and flew off,  people stopped by to thank  Schultz for his work organizing the parade.

Leah Ryan of Swampscott and her two children and a friend of theirs were among those who stopped by.

"Because my mom said they took four years for the parade," said Sarah Ryan, a fourth grader at Clarke Elementary School.

Jacki and Agnes Raymond, the mom and and grandmother of Army Spc. Jared Raymond, said thanks to Schultz, as well.

Army Spc. Jared Raymond and Marine Capt. Jennifer Harris were killed in Iraq in 2006 and 2007.

They were graduates of Swampscott High School.

Agnes Raymond said that Schultz came to their house the day after Jared was killed and Schultz has been been available to help them ever since.

Jacki Raymond said the parade was "breathtaking."

Not only were all the eras of the country's history covered, but the parade and field day offered a range of experiences.

There was the drama of a helicopter landing, the marchers, the bands, the uniforms and military hardware, the historical information, the live music by an Air Force rock band and games and concessions.

It was a big old-fashioned parade not likely to come to pass again any time soon, said Doug Maitland, a history buff from Swampscott.

"I don't think we'll see another parade like this in our lifetime," he said.