Hammond parade gives thanks to veterans for service
It was a picture-perfect autumn day, as hundreds of people lined up to watch the recent Veterans Appreciation Day Parade in the Hessville section of Hammond.
The sun shown brightly as dozens of floats, marching bands, and others entertained the crowd during this eighth annual event.
“We come to this every year,” said Damonte Jackson, of Hammond. “Many of our relatives have been in the service and this is one way we can remember how they fought for those of those who remained while they went off to war.”
Judy Belsky, of Hammond, agreed, adding that she remembered her grandfather telling her stories of his experience in World War II.
“I was little then, so I really didn’t understand it all. But as an adult, I do now,” she said. “This parade is our past. It’s our way of showing how grateful we are for those, living and gone, who served (in the armed forces).”
During the parade, the Lima Lima Flight Team
“That is so cool,” said Gabriel Osmond, 12, of Hammond, while watching the formation of the four planes. “I wonder how they do that all together.”
The hourlong parade was followed by a short ceremony at Hessville Park.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott gave remarks before introducing the parade’s Grand Marshal, SPC 4 Dan Spitale, who is a U.S. Army veteran.
McDermott said his five years of service in the U.S. Navy prepared him for his successes in life.
“And that experience continues to do that today,” he said.
U.S. Army veteran Spitale served in the Vietnam era and was drafted on April Fools Day 1968. He received Basic Training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Advance Infantry Training in the Tigerland section of Fort Polk, Louisiana.
For 11 months, Spitale served as a weapons specialist and was shipped to Kaiserslautern, Germany, and then on to Baumholder, Germany. He served in Germany when Russia was taking over Czechoslovakia in 1969.
Upon arriving back in the United States in 1970, the veteran began a position at the Inland Steel Power Plant, where he worked for 31 years.
Spitale also has been a Realtor for more than 35 years, as well as a member of the Hammond City Council, serving residents as Council-at-Large for the last 14 years.
Spitale echoed McDermotte’s thoughts regarding his military service as life-changing.
“You give up years of your life and become property of the American Government,” he said, “The government gave orders and you followed them — that’s why it works.”
At the conclusion of the program, taps was played as visitors gathered near the large flagpole located at the park’s Memorial.
Many remembered their loved ones that were not able to attend the ceremony.
“This whole appreciation event is a wonderful show of respect and admiration for every single person whose lives were interrupted when they joined the military or were drafted,” said Patrice Harris, of Schererville.
“Our family lost two brothers in World War II and a nephew in Vietnam. I know they are smiling down on us and this ceremony. Every single person who was — or is — serving their country should be considered brave souls.”