by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Some of them had noticeable limps, others moved along in wheelchairs, still others walked more briskly with high steps, but all of them marched proudly as many spectators saluted, waved and yelled “Thank you, thank you, thank you for serving our country.”
It was the ninth annual Veteran’s Parade Nov. 8, which started at the St. Cloud VA facility and ended with a coffee-hour social at Apollo High School. Although Veterans’ Day is, calendar-wise, Nov. 11, this parade was slated for three days early – on a Sunday – so more people could participate.
Veterans of all wars were honored in the ceremony.
As large American flags fluttered and flapped in a brisk wind, about two dozen veterans’ groups marched past the curbside spectators on the long, wide drive leading into the VA. Despite the wind, the weather was warm, brilliant with late-fall sunshine.
“My kids are here to see their grandpa in the parade,” said Kim Neubert of Clearwater.
At the curbside, she and her sons, Teigen and Jerrek, waved and cheered when they spotted Marvin Neubert marching in the parade. A Vietnam War veteran, he is a member of Sauk Rapids American Legion, Post 6992, the unit in which he marched. “We are very proud of him,” Kim said.
Clint Fladland, 94, St. Cloud, is one of a dwindling number of World War II veterans still alive and well. Fladland, accompanied to the event by daughter Vicki Hoien of Annandale, said he was proud and happy to be part of the Veterans’ Parade. Fladland was a U.S. Marine pilot during the war in the South Pacific and saw action in the war-battered islands of Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
“Okinawa was the worst,” Fladland told the Newsleader. “The Japanese were everywhere on that island. In tunnels. Bunkers. Everywhere. And they would sneak up at night and cut the throats of American soldiers. Yup, that was the worst.”
Ray Schlichting of Watab Township, south of Rice, is a Korean War veteran. He served from 1953 to 1955 in the 11th Armored Division and later in the Third Army. After the war, he worked for many years as a plumber for construction companies in the St. Cloud area. Schlichting volunteered, as he did last year, to get the Apollo lunchroom ready for the social hour after the parade.
Among the political leaders who attended the parade and the social afterward were Reps. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Sartell), Tama Theis (R-St. Cloud), Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud) and St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, an Air Force veteran who also marched in the parade.
In the Apollo lunch room, coffee and treats were served to the veterans and their well-wishers as they gathered in small groups to carry on pleasant conversations.
Among the marching groups in the Veterans’ Parade were the St. Cloud MetroVets Color Guard, the Waite Park American Legion Post 254, the St. Cloud American Legion Post 76, WW II and Korean Combat Veterans, the St. Joseph American Legion Post 328, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 290, the Central Minnesota Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Valhalla Detachment of the Marine Corps League, the St. Cloud VFW Post 4847, the St. Cloud VFW Post 428, the St. Cloud VFW Auxiliary Post 428, the Sauk Rapids VFW Post 428, the Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992, the Sauk Rapids VFW Auxiliary Post 6992, the Clearwater American Legion Post 323, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Women in the Military, the Clearwater Legion Riders, St. Cloud Cub Scout Pack 21, Girl Scouts and the VA Police.
SAUK RAPIDS PHOTOS
The Rev. LeRoy Kieke of Sauk Rapids (fourth from left) is a member of the St. Cloud MetroVets Color Guard, which led the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8. Kieke, who is a Vietnam veteran, does extensive veterans-outreach efforts as part of his Warmride Ministry.
After cheering on their grandfather, the Neubert family of Clearwater watches the many other veterans who march in the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8 on the grounds of the Veterans Administration. Marvin Neubert, the grandfather, is a Vietnam veteran who lives in Sauk Rapids. The children in the photo are (left) Teigen and Jerrek with mother Kim Neubert.
Members of the Sauk Rapids American Legion, Post 6992, enjoy coffee after marching in the Nov. 8 Veterans’ Parade in St. Cloud. From left to right (front row) are Paul Lupkes, who was stationed in Korea; Jack Lawrence, Vietnam veteran; Tom Wainright, Sartell, Vietnam veteran; (second row) Jerry Perske, St. Cloud, Vietnam veteran; and Marvin Neubert, Vietnam veteran. Wainright, Perske and Neubert are long-time hunting buddies and have hunted deer together for 53 years, most recently just last week near Buckman.
ST. JOSEPH PHOTO
Members of St. Joseph American Legion, Post 328, gathered for coffee at Apollo High School after participating in the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8 at the St. Cloud VA facility. The veterans are (front row, left to right) Larry Wiener, Bill Elfering and Lloyd Bruemmer, all Vietnam War veterans; (back row) Jerry Reischel, Korea and Vietnam War veteran; Gib Stock, Korean War veteran; and Norm Hansen, Vietnam War veteran.
SARTELL PHOTO
State Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Sartell) is one of several leaders who gathered to honor veterans during and after the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8 in St. Cloud. After the event, Melina Shaw of St. Cloud (left) talked with O’Driscoll about the importance of initiating and maintaining strong programs to help veterans. O’Driscoll has been widely recognized and honored as a spokesman for veterans’ rights and programs.
ALL OVER PHOTOS
World War II veteran Clint Fladland of St. Cloud and daughter Vicki Hoien, Annandale, stop for a photo after the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8 in St. Cloud. Fladland, 94, is one of the few living World War II veterans remaining in the greater St. Cloud area. He served in the South Pacific as a U.S. Marine pilot.
Hayden Solberg, 6, St. Cloud, holds up his “Thank You, Veterans!” sign at the Nov. 8 Veterans’ Parade. Solberg is a member of St. Cloud Cub Scout Pack 21. His father, Jason, is the pack’s leader.
Girls Scouts from Troop 536, St. Cloud, get ready to cheer veterans on the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8. The parade started at the Veterans Administration and ended at Apollo High School with a social get-together for veterans, family, friends and well-wishers. From left to right are sisters Marcy and Paige Roche, Allyssa Frieler and her mother, Brenda Frieler.
Two parade marchers wore the uniforms of previous wars. Bob Iten of Clear Lake (left) is in a World War I “Doughboy” uniform, and Jasper Bond of St. Cloud is dressed as a American Revolutionary War patriot.
An homage to American soldiers and their uniforms through the ages is the theme of this group of marchers in the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8 at the VA facility in St. Cloud.
After they participated in the Veterans’ Parade, many veterans watched the rest of the parade as it marched its way to Apollo High School.
The Clearwater Riders take part in the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8 at the St. Cloud VA facility.
Lots of children participated in the Veterans’ Parade Nov. 8 in St. Cloud. Many of them held up signs with names of veterans they know and love – fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, grandparents past and present.
