Annual Veteran's Day Parade -- Auburn Washington

It was a typical November morning in the Northwest. A fine drizzle was falling from gray skies as the VHPA members gathered by the restored UH-1 donated by the Olympic Flight Museum some were concerned that the public would find the weather too inhospitable to attend. In years past the parade (one of the largest on the west coast) had been blessed by clear, crisp days and those who wanted to show their respect for our fallen comrades attended in droves. While waiting for the parade to begin we stood and talked—renewing our bonds as men who had shared a common experience. It became clear that whether or not anyone else came, our purpose was clear—to honor and remember those living and passed that could not be here to march with us. We were not there to honor a war that had brought us together but to honor those who had left their families, friends, schools, jobs and the safety of their homes to serve. We knew that we have a responsibility to represent those who did not return.

As the parade began we were not disappointed--the parade route was lined with enthusiastic folks braving the elements to wave, step out to shake our hands or applaud as the veterans passed. It’s funny how the pain many of us feel in our aging bones melts away when showered with the warmth of appreciation. It’s sad that those that returned from Vietnam in the 60’s and 70’s did not feel this warmth back then.

Additional pictures from the parade can be found here.

Several members including Doug Decker and Bill Vaughn were interviewed by the Seattle Times reporter Lynda V. Mapes. Doug and Bill were clearly on opposite sides of the political spectrum but despite their differences gained a better understanding and respect for each other’s position. Doug’s unedited response to the interview and article is attached here.    

Auburn Veterans Parade Interview. 

The following link is the small result of a 40 minute interview before the parade Saturday in Auburn. Considering the newspaper is lopsided to the left (my opinion) it is a fairly even article given the event. I told her (reporter) my feelings were to keep focused on the history and respect of the event not on current issues that history will write better than we can now, but her limited history knowledge thinks her job is history.

The reporter was shocked to hear that a million men died a few years back at Gettysburg, and that 50,000 in Viet Nam wasn't bad compared to the same 50,000 men, women, kids, who die in this country every year from auto accidents alone. (during the same 10 years). I didn't get to remind her that 35-40 % of the casualties of Viet Nam were from accidents, yes fatigue was a factor along with drinking, illness, & plain ol' stupid, none the less they died in a combat "police" zone. When bullets & noise abound around you & fear runs rampant through the air, they were still courageous and shed their blood and lives for the rest of us.

The other interviewee, Bill Vaughn, whom I had already admired, became a an I even more admire and respect, we spent the rest of the parade outside in he rain after our part was over, standing and hurting, showing our respect to the many other people who came out to be in this very large parade, and to the people who lined the streets to show their support for those in the parade who represent so many more.

To my fellow veterans, Thank you. For my youngest brother David, you will never be forgotten...

Doug

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Last modified: 01/29/08 13:30:50 -0800