News & Announcements

Honoring Service to the Country

The Fort Wayne Police and Fire Department Pipe and Drum Brigade march in formation in the Veterans Day Parade.

Published: November 9, 2008 6:00 a.m.

Honoring service to the country

Spectators brave chill in respect of veterans

Becky Manley

The Journal Gazette

Bagpipes and marchingband music mingled as players braced against a chilly wind and warmed up their instruments at Bob Arnold Northside Park on Saturday.

Clutching a foam coffee cup and followed by a clipboard-wielding woman, Patricia Allison, commander of the Allen County Council of Veterans, arranged entrants before the start of Saturday’s Veteran’s Day Parade in Fort Wayne.

About 35 minutes before the parade’s 11 a.m. start, Allison said 100 units had showed up for the annual event, a number she said was low and likely due to the weather.

“It’s cold, but we’re early yet,” Allison said.

While the milder weather associated with Memorial Day boosts turnout, Allison said Veteran’s Day in November usually sees lower numbers.

“But that won’t stop us from being here. We’ll be here rain or shine,” Allison said.

Allison, who served 13 years in the Army, said she was grateful to those people who made a point to watch the parade.

“It’s important to remember those veterans who have passed on and those who are still serving,” Allison said.

The parade route was dotted with spectators, many armed with camp chairs and blankets and holding beverages in insulated cups.

Tom Diemer, 59, of Fort Wayne, was among them.

A veteran who served in the Army Reserves from 1968 to 1975, Diemer said people in the service endure all kinds of weather, so cold isn’t a factor that would keep him from attending the parade.

“It’s the least we can do,” Diemer said.