PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Philadelphia went all out for veterans on Nov. 5 at its 9th annual Veterans Parade and Festival. The City of Brotherly Love honored veterans for their service, patriotism, and willingness to sacrifice all, one week ahead of Veterans Day, observed on Nov. 11.
The parade began at City Hall and headed east on Market Street to Independence Mall. It was followed by the Veterans Festival, with numerous organizations providing resources for veterans and their families, including job recruitment, health care, financial assistance, and education opportunities.
It was a day filled with honor, respect, and community spirit, participants said.
The grand marshals of this year’s parade were Cpl. Benjamin Berry, 100, and Private First Class (PFC) Jacob Ruser, 98. Both men are World War II heroes who served in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.
Cpl. Berry, from Willow Grove, was 19 years old when he was drafted. He served in the segregated Quartermaster Corps during World War II. PFC Ruser, from Conshohocken, was a combat medic and nurse.
Sixteen and a half million men and women served in World War II. Of those, only about 240,000 are still living, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In a recent interview with Fox News, the two men said they were honored to represent the many veterans who went off to fight for their country but never returned. “They gave their lives or their lives were taken from them,” Cpl. Berry said.
‘This Country Was Founded on Patriotism’
George Leone is president and chair of the board of Homecoming 250 Navy-Marine Corps, which was one of the participants in the parade.“This country was founded on patriotism; [it] cannot survive without it,” he said.
“It’s crucial that people continue to recognize the need to serve others, including serving the United States Armed Forces, and also to support the people who do serve in the United States Armed Forces. If we don’t stick together, where will we be?”
“We should definitely honor our veterans. They gave up years of their lives and often gave up their lives to serve their country,” Mr. Leone said. “They have helped us and all the free world defend itself for so long.”
Homecoming 250 Navy-Marine Corps is an organization dedicated to bringing the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marines to Philadelphia, where the branches of the armed services were founded.
“We’re going to have a great celebration, it’s going to be the grand opening of the semi-quincentennial of the United States,” Mr. Leone said. “It’s going to be the biggest event oriented towards military and veterans, and it’s going to have the greatest collection of Navy ships ever.”
Serving Vets
The festival also connected veterans with valuable resources.Kim Yoder-Notar is the president of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 13–Atlantic City.
“People appreciate what veterans have done for their future and for their freedoms. Some people gave their lives; some people came back broken, whether it was mental or physical,” Ms. Yoder-Notar said. “War is horrible. Hopefully, we don’t have to have any more wars. But we need to work together.”
She said that many U.S. veterans desperately need help, especially those who saw wartime duty.
The Fleet Reserve Association is a non-profit U.S. military and veterans organization, serving veterans of the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Marines. It was founded in Philadelphia in October 1922, and chartered by Congress on Nov. 11, 1924. It has branches in each state.
“The patriotism of our country is that we love our country. And we love the people that come here and love our country. And I think that’s what it’s all about. Because we’re all patriots,” Ms. Yoder-Notar said.
Ms. Yoder-Notar distributed American flags to parade bystanders.
‘Freedom Isn’t Free’
Danielle Alura is Miss Global USA 2023. Speaking to The Epoch Times, she spoke about the nature of freedom.“Freedom isn’t free. And so, it’s important to support our country and for our country to keep us safe, and to do the right thing,” she said.
Ms. Alura’s grandfather is a World War II veteran, and a number of her family members are veterans as well.
“It’s near and dear to my heart, not only as my family members fighting for our freedom, but the importance of supporting our country being a patriot, and understanding that freedom does not continue unless you fight for it,” Ms. Alura said.
“But we have to stand for what’s right. And we have to protect the innocent. And so, I am here representing the USA as a woman, empowering others [who] are also empowering our country to keep their freedom.”
Ms. Senior America Pennsylvania
Sally Winchell, Ms. Senior America Pennsylvania, participated in the parade and staffed a booth at the Veterans Festival.“This is one of our favorite parades to be in, to be here, to honor the men and women who have fought and died for our country and for our freedom. So, we just love being here to just thank people for their service,” she said.
The Ms. Senior America pageant is the world’s foremost pageant honoring women who have reached the “Age of Elegance.” It is a nonprofit for the nation, with pageants in every state.
Ms. Winchell thinks the significance of patriotism for the country is of the utmost importance. “We can really continue to honor our traditions and our heritage. And again, just be a good example for our youth today. [They may] a little get off the rails at some point. And I think people who are here as veterans, and here as older people really have to lead by example.”
Young People: Serve Your Country
Sergeant Russ Adams is a retired veteran, who served 22 years in the army. He encourages young people to “serve your country, defend freedom.”“If you’re a citizen, and if you’re in good health, you have a high school diploma, no criminal record, you should serve your country,” he said.
He quoted John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech in 1961: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
