November 6, 2011 - Whitesboro Veterans' Day Parade

Whitesboro celebrated Veterans’ Day early by having their parade on the Sunday before 11-11-11. They also changed the start hour a few times – first with a 2pm start, then 9:30am, and finally decided 12:30 would work best so services at the Churches on the parade route would not be disrupted.

La Banda Rossa (the only band in the parade) was placed right in the middle of the parade. We had an American Legion Color Guard marching right in front of us bearing the American, POW-MIA, Vietnam Vets, and American Gold Star Mothers Flags.

The weather could not have been better – cool and crisp – sunny and bright. As we paraded down Main Street playing all five Service Songs of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, the spectators were all waving small American Flags that had been passed out by parade participants.

The parade wasn’t long-but it did include Dan Murphy, leading the parade and playing patriotic songs on his Bagpipe, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, honored Veterans, Firemen, and American Legion Vets.

At the end of the parade as we gathered around the flag pole at the Legion – we were all ready to play the National Anthem to begin the ceremony – but someone wasn’t aware of the order of the program and the ceremony was started with a Prayer and then immediately went into a speech by TV Announcer Bill Worden. Thus we never got to play the National Anthem.

It concluded with a 12 gun salute and “Taps” was played on an Electronic Ceremonial Bugle usually used when a live Bugler is not available. How sad not to use a live more moving version of “Taps” especially when during the entire ceremony our Band including six available and qualified trumpet players stood silently by.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!
For more photos please click on the following link
Whitesboro Veterans' Day Parade