- November 1, 2024
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Army veteran Russell Johnson, wearing his Vietnam veteran's cap, looked down at a packed Lakewood Main Street on May 28, a few minutes before the Tribute to Heroes Parade was about to begin.
"I wear this hat once a year (on Memorial Day weekend)," Johnson said. "It used to be nobody would sit next to me."
Johnson, who was in the infantry, remembered returning from Vietnam and receiving a cold welcome home. He said he was sitting in an airport when a child came up to him, and upon recognizing him as a soldier, the child's mother hurried over and pulled the child away.
"The way we were treated, … we got over it," Johnson said.
He said things have changed in the way the American public views soldiers who defended the country's freedom in Vietnam, but he would like to see Memorial Day celebrations take on a more serious tone.
"It is simply to recognize guys who didn't come home," he said. "We're having this party, but we're thinking about the veterans."
The parade certainly had its solemn moments. Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh read a county proclamation that had her choked with emotion, talking about soldiers' sacrifices.
The Blue Skye Pipes and Drums group played "Amazing Grace" before the parade began and the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble performed various patriotic marches.
But the event also catered to the children in a crowd of several thousand. Some of their parents said they explained what the holiday, and the parade, was all about to put it all into context.
The parade itself was inspiring, packed with 65 entries, live music, floats, and many interesting vehicles to entertain the crowd.
"I like that this is one of the things that brings out folks," said Graham Ellis of Braden River VFW Post 12055. "Wow!
"And we have so many veterans who have been in so many different conflicts. Everyone is on the same footing."
Many of the veterans in attendance received a free meal courtesy of local business such as Kelly's Roast Beef, McGrath's, Ed's Tavern, Remy's on Main and Detwiler's Farm Market. The pre-parade event was held at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
U.S. Marine veteran Jason Bearden, a Manatee County commissioner, said he was thrilled to participate.
"It is amazing the things this community does," he said. "And Memorial Day has a special place in my heart. When I was 7, my friend's dad was killed in Desert Storm."
Bearden looked around at the packed room at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
"I hope in the future we can continue to grow this," he said.
Herman Martinez of the Del Webb Association of Veterans and Military Supporters called the Tribute to Heroes Parade "the most important event of the entire year in Lakewood Ranch."
"We truly have left some good friends behind," he said.
Ken Green of VFW Post 12055 told a story of standing near a Lieutenant Commander who was killed on a flight deck when hit by a plane. Martinez talked about seeing a 13-year-old Vietnamese boy drop a grenade into the gas tank of a vehicle. Two of his fellow soldiers died in the explosion.
"We saw a lot of stuff," Ellis said.
Dave Daily, who is commander of VFW Post 12055, said the public has come together when it comes to honoring its soldiers.
"Events like this one are very important with all the political divide," Daily said. "At the end of the day, we are all Americans. Events like this show that is still true."