American Legion Convention 2012 - Day 4 (Sunday) PARADE DAY!!!

Today's big event was the annual American Legion parade.  Indianapolis could not have done a better job of staging the parade.  The local police, emergency services, etc. are to be commended on a job well done.  Another group deserves a huge pat on the back for their stellar efforts as well - the American Legion members who were in charge of the parade.  It went off without a hitch.  WELL DONE!!!

I was fortunate enough to view the parade as a guest of a great group of people.  Mark and Caroline Seavey provided comfy chairs, a tent from the sun and awesome adult beverages.  We had the best seats in the house just a few feet down from where the parade stepped off.

The parade began at 4:00 PM but we were in place and ready by 2:30 PM.  This allowed us to watch the parade form up - including the arrival and hitching up of the Clydesdales.  WIN!!!

The Budweiser Clydesdales

 

 

Since it was a parade, I'm just going to post pics.  Some are mine.  Most were taken by Donna Cranston of Defenders of Freedom.  Each state, or as the American Legion calls them, Department, walked in the parade.  There were also high school bands and bands from a few of the Departments.  I'm not going to post pics of each Department (state).

 

It was a FANTASTIC parade.  Lasted about three hours.  I HIGHLY recommend this parade if the convention is ever in your town.  Houston, TX, your city is hosting next year.

 

Enjoy!

 

American Legion Riders

 

Indianapolis Policy Department

 

Indiana Cassion Color Guard

 

American Legion National Commander Fang A Wong and his wife on front of float.

 

Budweiser Clydesdale Dalmatian

 

More photos after the jump

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Seavey told me a story about this gentleman.  On 9/11 when the plane hit in Pennsylvania Mark and this gentleman were in the US Capital building together.  This man turned to Mark and told him to run, that he couldn't move fast enough.  Mark told him he (Mark) wasn't leaving him.  Thankfully they were both OK.