By LOIS KINDLE
Thousands of people lined U.S. 41 last Saturday to celebrate the service of those currently serving in the United States armed forces and those who have served in the past.
The 39th annual Ruskin VFW Veterans Day Parade had an entourage of 63 military organizations, a color guard, high school bands, pirate krewes, scout troops, civic groups, churches and businesses.
These included JROTC units and marching bands from East Bay and Lennard high schools and the marching band from Eisenhower Middle School.
“Most of the military organizations that normally participate in our parade went to Veterans Memorial Park this year because Veterans Day fell on Saturday, and they needed to be there,” said Lois McBride, who organized the parade with Tony Zipperer. Both are members of VFW Post 6287, the parade’s hosting organization. “They said they plan on coming back next year.”
As always, pirates and wenches from Tampa Bay area krewes marched alongside their floats, tossing brightly colored beads to bystanders as they passed. Among them were the South Shore Marauders, Peg Leg Pirate, Charlotte de Berry, Tampa Rough Riders, Sea
SaveYours, Seven Celtic Nations and Tampa Jeep and Lords & Ladies.
A panel of judges evaluated each entry and the following awards were made: Veterans Day Specialty Award, SouthShore Chamber of Commerce; Best Commercial Award, Tampa Electric Company; Best American Youth Group, Lennard High School JROTC; American Tribute Award, Ye Royal Krewe of Charlotte de Berry; Most Innovative Award, Ye Notorious Krewe of the Peg Leg Pirate; Grand Marshal’s Choice Award, Krewe of the Lords and Ladies.
The parade’s grand marshal was former post commander Jim McAllister, a veteran of four branches of the U.S. military: the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. This year’s Buddy Poppy Queen and King were Lily Ferpening, of Ruskin Christian School, and Max Leventry, of Sessums Elementary School.
For information on how you can participate in the parade or help organize next year’s 40th parade, call Lois McBride at 813-634-2315.