Apply to be party of VFW Loyalty Parade
Submitted by Batavia Overseas VFW Post 1197
Applications are now available for the 39th annual VFW Loyalty Day Parade to be held May 5.
The 2013 parade theme is “The VFW Tree of Life” whose many branches include the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, those service members killed in action, POWs, and the support groups which includes the Ladies and Men’s Auxiliaries, Boosters, volunteers and family members. The VFW provides a place for veterans and their families to socialize and share good times and to share concerns, get access to resources and information.
As in family trees, the VFW Tree of Life has deep roots in the community. These roots can be traced back to 1935 when Ernest Lundin was elected as the first VFW Commander. In 1946, George Gebes became post commander. Gebes had wanted to build something for the veterans when he returned home from World War II and in 1949, he and Bob Pitz sold bonds to raise money to buy the six acres of land now occupied by the Batavia Overseas VFW Post 1197. Bill and Bob Murtaugh and Mike Cannell each contributed $500 toward the land purchase. Gebes took out a loan to fund the remainder of the purchase price and Arvid Benson, Marvin Michelson, Bob Wilson and Gebes began laying blocks to build the post. Many men donated lots of hours of work to build the VFW Post and that volunteerism continues today. The Ladies Auxiliary was very active in growing the VFW and making it a prominent place in the community.
The Loyalty Day Parade has been a part of the “VFW Tree of Life” for 39 years. The parade requires a whole year of planning and preparation, getting permits, insurance, road closures, military participation, public participation, fundraising and so on. The parade is held regardless of the weather and has only been canceled one time due to concerns for public safety. However, despite last year’s cancellation, after parade activities were held at the VFW Post and some parade participants put on their show in the VFW hangar.
The VFW and its Ladies and Men’s Auxiliaries invite participants to support military veterans and their families and our VFW by participating in the Loyalty Day Parade. Applications are available online at www.bataviavfw.org/loyaltyday. Applications can also be obtained by calling the post at (630) 879-9630 or by emailing the post at loyaltyday1197@sbcglobal.net. The deadline is April 20.
The parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. at Raddant Road and Wilson Street in Batavia and proceeds west on Wilson to Route 25 and south to the VFW Post on River Street. There will be after parade activities and entertainment for everyone, especially our children. They will provide food for the troops and parade participants and food and beverages will be available for purchase by the public.
Contributions of food, money, services and volunteers are always needed and welcomed. So, come out, honor our troops and veterans and their families and our communities by participating in, watching and/or volunteering for the 2013 Loyalty Day Parade.