Veteran's Day Parade Jacksonville, FL 2014

[topellis]

I have moved to the area here about 6 months ago and have gotten in with a few local MVPA folks. They asked me to drive in the Veteran's Day Parade and somehow I lucked up and got to drive the Grand Marshal's on my first time driving in a parade. They boarded my truck 5 minutes before the parade took off so I really didn't know much about them then. On the left is Adm Robert Byron Fuller. On the Right is Col Carl Crumpler (USAF). You can google them and get more accurate information but they both were shot down over North Vietnam, ejected and were taken prisoner. They both were in room number 7 of the Hanoi Hilton with John McCain and Adm Stockdale just to name a few. Many of this one room went on to make a name for themselves in the world once they were free. I forget which it was but one was in prison for about 5yrs the other around 6. I believe they both were released in 1973. They were both very interesting and happy to make small talk, both had a pretty good sense of humor and I really enjoyed meeting them. In order of march I think there was the Navy Band, the Mayor and then us. There was a good crowd and the weather was awesome and I really couldn't have had a better experience. I was surprised several times that the crowd really whooped it up as the Grand Marshal's came by. I was a little nervous driving the 30 miles to the parade.... and back but no issues at all. I need to bring my little ladder next time because it was touch and go getting them in the back. 1st gear at idle worked real well. I couldn't tell you how many people were in the parade but it was thousands. There were two tanks and a half track that drove in the parade under their own power. I was there when they unloaded them but missed seeing them in the parade. Sorry to rattle on so but it was a first for me and memories were made. Sorry its a few days late and hope this isn't over kill. When it was over I asked them if everything was ok back there and Col Crumpler said if it had been longer.....the Marine Corps needed to invest in cushions...lol. Dang Air Force guys.....

[URL=http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/ ... .jpg[/img][/url]
[URL=http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/ ... .jpg[/img][/url]
[URL=http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/ ... .jpg[/img][/url]
[URL=http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/ ... .jpg[/img][/url]
[URL=http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/ ... .jpg[/img][/url]
[URL=http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/ ... .jpg[/img][/url]

[w30bob]

Mark.........that's pretty damn awesome!!!

Thanks,
bob

[Cal_Gary]

Ditto! Had to be a wonderful experience-your truck looks great too!
Gary

[T. Highway]

Wow great pictures, the turnout along the parade route is awesome. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

Bert

[topellis]

Thanks guys, it was a fun day and a great first experience. I wish I would have gotten a pic of all of us in the truck but didn't think about it till it was over with. Some of my co-workers said they saw a glimpse of the truck on the news that evening but I didn't see it. I realize Jacksonville is a Navy town but I had no idea there would be so many people at the parade. Just about the entire route was packed and in some places 5 or 6 people deep. Lots of kids waving, yelling "thank you" and also a good number of vets. They had encouraged local vets to wear their service related items. Some old timers were in full uniform and when we passed by they stood and saluted the Grand Marshal's. It was just a good feeling to see people being so patriotic.

Mark