thedrifter
05-29-07, 06:11 AM
Broward remembers fallen veterans, with some protesting Iraq war
By Elizabeth Baier and Brian Haas
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted May 29 2007
The flags were plentiful, the memories alive. Despite overcast weather, many wore patriotic-themed clothing at several sites across Broward County on Monday to remember and honor U.S. soldiers, sailors, pilots and Marines killed while serving in uniform.
Throughout the morning, veteran groups, scouts and families observed the holiday with hometown parades and services. A group of seniors in Pembroke Pines also used the holiday as an opportunity to protest the war in Iraq.
In Davie, 16 groups of Scouts -- Boy, Cub, Tiger and Girl, gathered in the parking lot of Eisenhower Elementary by 10 a.m. to prepare for the town's time-honored, downtown parade.
Dressed in their badge-covered uniforms, the boys and girls marched south along Davie Road, waving tiny American flags as many of their parents lined the streets and snapped pictures.
Members of the Cooper City-based Cub Scout Pack 423 rode their bicycles, which they had adorned with red, white and blue garland and streamers.
Erik Ramos, 9, was one of the Cub Scouts. It was his first time participating in the parade. His mom, Rosa Ramos, hoped to teach her son about the holiday, especially since her husband's cousin returned from a tour in Iraq six months ago and could be called back to war at any time.
"It's important that the kids know what people are fighting for," said Rosa Ramos, 41, of Plantation. "We are celebrating the fallen veterans, everyone who has fought for our country."
The scouts walked about a mile to the Bergeron Rodeo Arena, where they quickly filled half the bleachers for a one-hour memorial service. Diane Guidry, 54, a retired Navy lieutenant commander, is now a committee chairwoman for Boy Scout Troop 175, of Plantation. Guidry said she saw many of her shipmates die during her 29-year career with the Navy. Others died during the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon.
"Some have also gone to Iraq and not come back," said Guidry, holding back tears. "When the war is so far away, it's sometimes hard to remember that they are fighting for us."
In Pompano Beach, a small parade rode down Southeast 23rd Avenue to the Pompano Beach Cemetery. Hundreds of people lined the streets, also waving tiny flags as different veterans and civic groups walked by. Several members of the Children of the American Revolution marched in full historical regalia as patriotic songs played.
Even though the day's events focused on those who served in the past, the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were fresh in the minds of many.
The program was a mixture of celebration and remembrance. The final speaker at the Pompano event was Dennis Myers, a Vietnam veteran who worked as a naval journalist and who lost a close friend in the war. Myers asked that everyone, regardless of their political persuasion, support the current crop of troops fighting overseas.
"They are the defenders of freedom in the 21st century," he said. "Our hopes, aspirations and prayers are with them. They carry the torch of freedom."
Across the county, Murray Hirsh, a World War II veteran, gathered with about 60 other anti-war protesters outside Century Village in Pembroke Pines for two hours Monday morning. The seniors, many of whom are veterans, held signs that read: "Save Our Troops, Bring them Home" and "1, 2, 3, 4 … Put an end to Bush's war."
"From every respect, it was a perfect day to pay tribute to those fighting now and make an attempt to save more lives," said Hirsh, who also lost a close friend during World War II. "We're just hoping we can make an influence."
Elizabeth Baier can be reached at ebaier@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4637.
Ellie
By Elizabeth Baier and Brian Haas
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted May 29 2007
The flags were plentiful, the memories alive. Despite overcast weather, many wore patriotic-themed clothing at several sites across Broward County on Monday to remember and honor U.S. soldiers, sailors, pilots and Marines killed while serving in uniform.
Throughout the morning, veteran groups, scouts and families observed the holiday with hometown parades and services. A group of seniors in Pembroke Pines also used the holiday as an opportunity to protest the war in Iraq.
In Davie, 16 groups of Scouts -- Boy, Cub, Tiger and Girl, gathered in the parking lot of Eisenhower Elementary by 10 a.m. to prepare for the town's time-honored, downtown parade.
Dressed in their badge-covered uniforms, the boys and girls marched south along Davie Road, waving tiny American flags as many of their parents lined the streets and snapped pictures.
Members of the Cooper City-based Cub Scout Pack 423 rode their bicycles, which they had adorned with red, white and blue garland and streamers.
Erik Ramos, 9, was one of the Cub Scouts. It was his first time participating in the parade. His mom, Rosa Ramos, hoped to teach her son about the holiday, especially since her husband's cousin returned from a tour in Iraq six months ago and could be called back to war at any time.
"It's important that the kids know what people are fighting for," said Rosa Ramos, 41, of Plantation. "We are celebrating the fallen veterans, everyone who has fought for our country."
The scouts walked about a mile to the Bergeron Rodeo Arena, where they quickly filled half the bleachers for a one-hour memorial service. Diane Guidry, 54, a retired Navy lieutenant commander, is now a committee chairwoman for Boy Scout Troop 175, of Plantation. Guidry said she saw many of her shipmates die during her 29-year career with the Navy. Others died during the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon.
"Some have also gone to Iraq and not come back," said Guidry, holding back tears. "When the war is so far away, it's sometimes hard to remember that they are fighting for us."
In Pompano Beach, a small parade rode down Southeast 23rd Avenue to the Pompano Beach Cemetery. Hundreds of people lined the streets, also waving tiny flags as different veterans and civic groups walked by. Several members of the Children of the American Revolution marched in full historical regalia as patriotic songs played.
Even though the day's events focused on those who served in the past, the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were fresh in the minds of many.
The program was a mixture of celebration and remembrance. The final speaker at the Pompano event was Dennis Myers, a Vietnam veteran who worked as a naval journalist and who lost a close friend in the war. Myers asked that everyone, regardless of their political persuasion, support the current crop of troops fighting overseas.
"They are the defenders of freedom in the 21st century," he said. "Our hopes, aspirations and prayers are with them. They carry the torch of freedom."
Across the county, Murray Hirsh, a World War II veteran, gathered with about 60 other anti-war protesters outside Century Village in Pembroke Pines for two hours Monday morning. The seniors, many of whom are veterans, held signs that read: "Save Our Troops, Bring them Home" and "1, 2, 3, 4 … Put an end to Bush's war."
"From every respect, it was a perfect day to pay tribute to those fighting now and make an attempt to save more lives," said Hirsh, who also lost a close friend during World War II. "We're just hoping we can make an influence."
Elizabeth Baier can be reached at ebaier@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4637.
Ellie