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Veteran’s Day Parade 2004
New York, N.Y.
This year the rain stayed away, the sun was out, but the crowds on the
sidewalks were not as strong as last year. But that did not slow our group
marching up the avenue. All 17 members and Popeye (an old salt off of the
Midway, 1948, who popped up in full uniform, just like last year, then
disappeared just as fast) went from 26th St. up to the end at 56th St. and
right into Judge Roy Beans, just as we have done for three years now.
Those in attendance: Mike Aquino, Lt. Arnold Berkowitz, Ed Collins,
Rolland Costen, Ray Dermody, Guy Frazier, Joe Grabowski,(Jake)Jacob, Joe
O’Brien, Rod Patton, Ed Pelletier, Popeye, Harry Rodriguez, Kevin Seager,
Peter Schmid, Ed Steiniger, Tom Tramantano, Walt Waite.
The Lt. surprised us by showing up with a wade of two-dollar bills with a
message affixed on a label. The message read: Veteran’s Day…
November 11, 2004… Honoring all Veterans who served the United States of
America… Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines…To keep America…Land of
the Free and Home of the Brave…Proud to have served… Carrier
Veterans… USS America CVA 66. He gave one to each of us and
with Jake’s help, gave out the rest, on the way up Fifth Ave, to
Veterans that were standing on the sidewalks watching and applauding.
images coming soon
Today (11-16-04) we received the following e-mail at the
web site:
MY NAME IS PETER SCHMOLL AND I WANT TO SAY GOD BLESS YOUR ORGANIZATION.
DURING THE VETERANS DAY PARADE IN NEW YORK CITY THE OTHER DAY, ONE OF YOUR
MEMBERS CAME UP TO ME AND ASKED ME IF I HAD SERVED (AT THE TIME I WAS
WEARING MY NAVY BB CAP "USS STERETT CG-31"}. I RESPONDED
"YES SIR” AND THE GENTLEMAN PUT A 2-DOLLAR BILL IN MY HAND AND LEFT
ABRUPTLY. I WAS SHOCKED. IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE! HE WALKED AWAY BEFORE I
COULD SAY THANK YOU. SO I MUST SAY THAT NOW IN THIS EMAIL. TAKE CARE.
Incidentally I remember the USS America back in the 80s (early 80s) they
went to some of the same ports as we did. I spent 8 years on active duty
all of it overseas in Asia and I stayed in the reserves and I just retired
from the reserves last month.
Peter Schmoll, you are welcome. I would like to say thank you to all who
represented the USS America so proudly. Job well done. A special thanks to
the Lt. He really knows how to work a crowd. I think he shook the hand of
everyone standing on the east side of Fifth Ave. I would also like to
thank my brother-in-law, Ed Steiniger, for joining us. And last but not
least, Sara at Judge Roy Beans, for remembering us all, year after year.
Tom Tramantano
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