Sunday, November 7, 2010

Our Parade Nevers Ends!!

Today, we began our “Heroes Salute Heroes” program to honor all of our veterans in our community for their service to our country by participating in the annual Veterans' Day Parade downtown. The Fire Service has many military personnel within our ranks, many veterans themselves and others who are reservists that have been activated, some multiple times. Today, we were pleased to have veterans and volunteers from the Good Neighbor Veterans' Center riding with us on Engine 11 as our guests of honor.  When we arrived on the parade route, the organizers asked if we would be willing to be the last unit in the parade as they wanted to have some “flash and noise” for their finale.  Well, old Engine 11 is always good for some “flash and noise” so we were happy to accommodate them.  As we rolled down the streets of Charleston, with Capt. Kevin Storo wheeling Engine 11, we were excited as folks applauded and cheered for our old truck.  But, the highlight of the day was getting to meet and shake hands with veterans who lined the sidewalks, many in the uniforms, and some from World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Afghanistan and Iraq Freedom campaigns. It was truly a great feeling to be able to thank all of them for their service to us and to our country.  

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