‘This parade means freedom.’ Anna Maria spends Veterans Day with ‘Old Soldiers and Sailors’
When City of Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy started making plans for the first Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade in 2017, his first two ”recruits” were a drummer and a bagpiper.
On Thursday afternoon, the parade had a lot more that, including several high school marching bands, deputies on horses, and not one, but two grand marshals.
The parade was a little smaller than in past years, but after taking a break in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was back. And even a little rain could not wipe the smiles off the faces of the flag-waving spectators who lined Pine Avenue.
So, what makes this parade special?
“It’s in the name,” said Murphy, an Army veteran who served in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War. “All veterans, when they come home from war are old soldiers, or old sailors.”
One of the grand marshals, retired Army Colonel Dave Pate, was an Army aviation officer and crisis planner, who served from 1978 to 2005. Maybe the highlight of his career was commanding the aviation brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, he said.
“What’s interesting is how the parade has grown and I think that comes from the mayor putting his weight behind it,” Pate said.
Retired Navy Commander Mike Riordan, the other grand marshal, served in the Navy from 1994 to 2019. He said one of the highlights of his career was going into Kosovo after the war ended there in 1999 as part of a team to clean up munitions left over from the fighting. He and his team also helped to reopen about 80 schools in Kosovo after the war.
Hannah Lee, 25, rode on the AMI Locals property management float in the parade.
“I think it’s fabulous. We come every year, but this is the first time I have ridden in the parade,” Lee said. “This parade means freedom and I am so thankful for everyone fighting for us.”
Thursday’s parade started in front of Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, and proceeded down Pine Avenue to City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., where a concert and guest speakers concluded the salute to veterans.
Other participants included a Marine Corps honor guard, military vehicles, floats, and a man dressed as Uncle Sam.
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 3:35 PM.
