Saturday's parade a chilly success
Onlookers of all ages bundled up against the coldest temperatures seen this fall, but still managed to tap their toes and wave their flags Saturday during the 2017 Butler Veterans Day Parade.
Marching bands from local high schools played patriotic tunes while their dance and drill teams performed, veterans from World War II up to the current War on Terror marched or were driven down Main Street, the Butler High School Junior ROTC members marched in their fatigues, emergency vehicles crawled along with their lights on and a pair of snorting Percheron horses clip-clopped their way down the parade route.
“I feel great because we are honoring the veterans,” said JROTC member and Butler High School sophomore William Wise of Summit Township. “The veterans protect our freedom and our country.”
Many veterans watched the parade covered in a blanket or bundled up in their winter gear against temperatures that hovered in the 20s.
One was Jim Hartle of North Washington, who served with the 101st Airborne division in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.
“I'm very patriotic and I really support the veterans,” said Hartle, who also watched his granddaughter perform with the Moniteau marching band. “The veterans are the reason we're able to watch this parade. They deserve the recognition.”
He said he considers all veterans brothers, regardless of their age, experience or rank.
“I respect the (young) veterans as much as a World War II veteran,” said Hartle.
Robert Ordy is another Vietnam War veteran who attended the parade. Ordy served overseas in 1967 and 1968.
“We've got to continue to show respect for those who fought and died,” Ordy said. “I lost a lot of buddies over there.”
Youngsters also enjoyed the parade, and many could be seen marching in place along with the bands or waving flags as the veteran units passed.
Evalyn Bishop, 12, said her family came to support a Butler High School Marching Band musician, and for other reasons too.“We want to support the veterans and say thank you to all of them who worked so hard for us,” Evalyn said.Jacqueline Shields, 10, enjoyed watching her brother play his alto saxophone in the Butler band.She also liked the floats, emergency vehicles, Shriners' trucks and everything else in the parade, despite the frigid temperature.“It's cold,” said a hooded and gloved Jacqueline.The military Martini family also attended. Libby Martini's two sons, husband, father, father-in-law and grandson were or are all Navy men.She praised area folks for their treatment of her family's sailors and all veterans.“Butler is very proud of its military,” Martini said. “All the people around here are really awesome to the veterans. We have a nice city.”Leslie Osche, chairman of the Butler County Commissioners, stood with other officials on the bed of a large Army truck parked across from the courthouse.“It's a great turnout and we are saluting our veterans despite the cold,” Osche said.Before stepping up onto the makeshift dais, all three commissioners walked the parade route. They could be seen breaking ranks and shaking hands with people along the parade route.
“We like to stop and greet and thank the veterans we see,” Osche said. “That's why we walk (instead of ride inside a vehicle.)”John Cyprian, the county veterans services director and parade coordinator, said he was pleased with the parade and the people who braved the frosty temperatures to salute the veterans.“It's cold, and it's a Saturday, but the people still came out to support the veterans in the community,” Cyprian said. “That's what it's all about.”He said more than 60 units marched in the parade, and he enjoys the camaraderie between veterans young and old.“What gets me is everyone coming together,” said Cyprian, who is a veteran. “There's a brotherhood there.”American Legion Rider and ardent military supporter Thomas Posch summed up the thoughts of all who attended the Butler County Veterans Parade on Saturday.“If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet,” Posch said.
