by David Flint
Bob Reiter started off the sixth annual Veterans Day Parade at Stephentown’s Veterans Park asking for a moment of silence for the victims of the Fort Hood massacre. The Rensselaer County Veterans Service Director said it was a sad day in America when we have to watch our backs at home while fighting a war abroad.
County Executive Kathy Jimino hailed the wonderful weather, unusual for November, but painted an image of all the service men and women now and in the past who have served their country in all kinds of extreme weather, enduring loneliness, and many of them harsh imprisonment, making extreme sacrifices so that we are able to enjoy mornings such as this and celebrate.
State Senator Roy McDonald also greeted the crowd, noting that despite our differences we are all one family and have been since the Revolution when American men and women stood their ground for freedom.
Following laying of wreaths at the Veterans monument, taps and raising of the flags, the parade formed up, with Vietnam veteran Chuck Fisher as Grand Marshal, and marched off toward the Fire Hall on Grange Hall Road where a chicken and pork dinner awaited.
