Region celebrates service in Virginia Beach
Patriotism on display during Tidewater Veterans Day Parade
VIRGINIA BEACH — Thousands of small American flags waved in the hands of onlookers as bands marched, antique cars rolled by and small floats were pulled along the Oceanfront.
Patriotism and appreciation for the U.S. Armed Forces were on high display Saturday during the Tidewater Veterans Day Parade.
First came what seemed like at least 100 motorcycles followed by a U.S. Fleet Forces band, color guard and four stately horses trailed closely by a city street cleaning vehicle.
Four women wearing old-timey bonnets passed out hand-held slags to everyone in sight as a couple more held a sign advertising the Princess Anne County Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the Revolution.
“Woohoo,” one of the bonneted women yelled.
A contingent of the Tidewater Chapter 48 of Vietnam Veterans marched down Atlantic Avenue, with veteran Tom Lafferty looking on from the sidewalk. The 64-year-old who spent 42 years in the Navy, 26 of them active duty, stood with
shoulders back and wearing a brown sweater with dozens of service medals pinned to its front.
“I came out because the community has always been very supportive of the military,” he said. “They’ve done a lot for us.”
After graduating from West Virginia University, Lafferty worked in a bank for about a year before enlisting.
“I walked across the street from that bank and joined the Navy,” he said. “I joined on a Friday, was in the Great Lakes on Monday and never looked back.”
Lafferty spent most of his career on amphibious warfare ships that carried helicopters, landing craft and Marines.
“I went to Grenada, then went to Beirut, did a couple tours in El Salvador, then got commissioned,” he said.
He retired as a commander in 2006 after having been the Chief Staff Officer of Naval Beach Group 2 in Little Creek. Passersby in the parade kept waving at him.
“No, I don’t know them. They see my medals, and so, they’re waving at me,” he said, pointing toward his three
The Meritorious Service Medals, Commendation and Achievement medals and the other gold pieces pinned in rows on his chest.
The Kempsville High School band paraded by in blue and red uniforms, and not too far behind, a Churchland High School JROTC unit came a-marching.
Had there been a award for loudest parade participants, it would have gone to the “Confederate Veterans” who fired a volley of blank rounds from muskets at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 17th Street, prompting several surprised screams.
The apparent biggest crowd pleaser: An Armed Service YMCA bus packed with kids chanting “U.S.A., U.S.A, U.S.A. …” drew cheers and smiles the length of the parade grounds.
The Lakeland High School was well represented by its Air Force JROTC, and the Salem High School marking band wore red, silver and grey. Rich O’Hanlon, a retired U.S. Navy Admiral, watched from near the Virginia Beach Convention Center. He and his wife brought their grandchildren to see the festivities and gain an understanding and appreciation of Veterans Day.
“It’s just nice to see the hometown pride and various patriotic groups and especially the young people in the parade,” he said. “It’s important that we pass on these traditions to our younger people.”
Someone close-by yelled into air: “Thank you for your service!”