Veterans Day Parade honors, celebrates local veterans

Kirsten Adair, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
·3 min read

Nov. 11—Cass County residents gathered in Logansport on Friday morning to pay tribute to local veterans in honor of Veterans Day.

The Veterans Day Parade kicked off at 10 a.m. at the Veteran Memorial outside the Cass County Government Building. The Logansport Marching Band performed the National Anthem while the flag was raised by the post commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3790.

The Logansport Police Department led the parade and was followed by the Cass County Sheriff's Office, the Logansport Fire Department, Royal Center Fire Engine One, Cass County Fire District One's Tanker Two, the Disabled American Veterans Charity, and the Cass County Honor Guard. A Woodbridge Health Campus bus decorated with red, white and blue hand cutouts along with the band members and American Veterans Chapter 82621 followed behind.

After the parade reached City Hall, senior veterans from Woodbridge Health Campus were helped off Woodbridge's bus to enjoy the Veterans Day program. Cass County Veteran's Council President Jim Stokes, who planned and organized the program, introduced Chaplain Jim Zimmerman to lead an invocation.

Stokes then introduced the parade's grand marshal, World War II U.S. Navy Veteran James Wooldridge. Wooldridge will be 96 years old on Christmas Day this year.

"It's wonderful. It's an honor," Wooldridge said about being grand marshal of the parade.

During the program, Wooldridge was presented with a quilt made by the Cass County Quilters. One Cass County Quilters member said the group began quilting for the parade's grand marshal a few years ago after learning about the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

"We started making what we call our Patriotic Quilts to give to the grand marshal of the Veterans Day Parade," another member said. "This year, we are proud and pleased to present James Wooldridge this Patriotic Quilt for his service. Sir, we do thank you for your service along with all the rest of you veterans."

Wooldridge accepted the quilt from inside a Disabled American Veterans van and thanked the quilters.

"That was a bit of a surprise," he said. "... I think it's beautiful and I'll enjoy using it."

Logansport Mayor Chris Martin also spoke at the program, but he started by addressing his goals for the country, the State of Indiana, and anyone who only thanks veterans once a year.

"We can do better," he said. "I want you to post on your social media. I ask you to do more. I ask you to do more for our veterans. They deserve more. This country deserves more for our veterans. They should not have to worry about an electric bill. They should not have to worry about food on the table. They should not have to worry about being homeless. These are the men and women that sacrificed their lived for our freedom, so please, do more."

Martin encouraged everyone to post #wecandobetter on social media and challenged every business within the county and city to donate at least $100 to any local organization that supports veterans.

"We can do better for our veterans, period. Thank you so much for your sacrifice, for your service, for every second your life was on the line for this country, for this community. Your life was on the line. Here we are, standing before you today, and we can do better. We can do more for you than just a parade."

The honor guard gave a rifle salute and two flags, one in front of the City Building and the other in front of the World War II Honor Roll Memorial. Petty Officer First Class Shannon Brazda performed the National Anthem, and Brandt Carmichael drove to Logansport from Tennessee specifically to perform "God Bless the U.S.A." at the program.

Stokes said he was proud of the Veterans Day Parade and grateful for everyone who helped him organize it. He said it is very meaningful for local veterans.

"This is our day to celebrate making it back," he said. "I love working with everybody to do this. I'd like to see more veterans involved."