The National Guard, Scouts, an honor guard from MacDill and many other groups and businesses will fall in step for Tarpon Springs' parade.
By MARSHA STRICKHOUSER
Published August 5, 2004
TARPON SPRINGS - Veterans, civic groups and public officials from Clearwater to West Pasco will gather in Tarpon Springs Saturday morning for a big parade with a serious purpose.
Their mission: to honor veterans and active military service men and women.
The city's first Military Appreciation Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Meres Boulevard and Alt. U.S. 19, then head north for a half-mile along Alt. 19, ending at Craig Park.
"It's great to be supporting our troops, honoring our veterans, especially those from World War II who are rapidly disappearing," said James Payne, president of the Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society, which provided organizers with a list of local residents in the military.
So far, more than 50 businesses and organizations have signed on for the parade, which coincides with National Purple Heart Day.
An honor guard from MacDill Air Force Base is scheduled to bring six military vehicles. The Florida National Guard is slated to bring three 5-ton vehicles. The Boys & Girls Clubs, garden club, Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society, a local Girl Scout troop and fire and police departments also will participate.
"It's our way of giving back to the community," said Eric Kuge, manager of Moss-Feaster Funeral Home in Palm Harbor, which will have a float with employees throwing beads.
Tarpon Springs City Commissioner Peter Nehr organized the event. He said it is neither "prowar nor antiwar."
It is simply to honor the troops, he said.
As a young man, Nehr, 52, was not drafted and did not serve in Vietnam, but three or four of his friends died there. He worries that troops in Iraq might come home to the same sour reaction that met returning Vietnam vets.
"I don't want the same thing to happen to the troops," Nehr said. "I wanted to make sure they know the city of Tarpon Springs does appreciate them.
"Not just the soldiers in Iraq, but all of those men and women protecting our interests around the world," he said.
For the parade, Nehr, who owns the American Spirit Flag Shop, plans to donate more than 2,000 12- by 18-inch cloth flags as well as 3- by 5-foot flags on staffs for parade participants. Nehr says his business is splitting the cost of the flags, which he estimates at $7,000 retail, with the Annin Flag Co., a major manufacturer of flags. He also urges spectators to bring flags and signs to support American troops.
State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris and Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst are expected to take part in a tribute at the end of the parade near the war memorial in Craig Park. A list of 20 to 25 names of past and present military service men and women will be read.
Nehr sent 250 to 300 invitations to military and veteran organizations in Pinellas and Pasco counties. He encourages residents who have been in the military to call his office at (727) 934-8357 so they can be included in the ceremony.
"Patriotism is a fleeting thing," said Nehr, who moved to the United States from Austria when he was 5 years old. After Sept. 11, 2001, he saw a rush to put up flags and an upsurge in patriotism. He remembers it lasted about two to three months. It's easy to fly the flag, he said, "when everyone is looking."
