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Parade honors veterans photo by Andrew Mariman By BILL KETTLER Mail Tribune Sailors in crisp black uniforms marched down Main Street Sunday as Rogue Valley residents came out to honor military veterans. Shouts of "Go, Navy," drew smiles from Lt. Cmdr. Tom Thien and his Navy Reservists. "I really feel proud to be out here doing this," said Thien, who commands about 110 reservists at the Central Point Naval Reserve Center. "This is a good way to spend the day." Medford's Veterans Day parade featured soldiers in camouflage battle dress, old Army trucks, new Army trucks, a high-school marching band, a Marine Corps color guard, vintage tractors and even an antique lifeboat. Forecasted rain held off long enough to provide prime parade weather, but there were probably nearly as many people in the parade as there were on the sidewalks. The turnout disappointed parade organizer Darryl Ferrell, who estimated the crowd at about 1,000 people. "I thought because of the attacks in New York that it would be really crowded today," Ferrell said. "But it was better than it's been in the past." Medford revived its Veterans Day parade in 1996, after a hiatus of nearly 30 years. While the crowd may have been slim, those who marched and those who came out to watch said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have given patriotism a real boost. "It's neat to see everyone come together and show national pride," said Erin Kulmak, who marched with her flute in the North Medford High School marching band. "Patriotism's always been there," said Max Weston of Medford, wearing his World War II Army jacket. "But people don't go around displaying it every day." "I think things are really different this fall," said Jack Carlson of Medford, a World War II Marine who carried Old Glory in the color guard that headed the parade. "And we're very glad to see it, believe me." As Carlson and the color guard strode up the street, sirens on Army trucks began to wail, prompting young Anna Prosise to cover her ears while she watched the procession with her mother. "My daughter was very excited to see our veterans," Donna Prosise said. "We're here to pay tribute to them for the great service they've done for our country. These guys who served so many years deserve to be honored." As the procession moved down Main Street, spectators shouted greetings to friends and cheered for their favorite branch of the armed forces. Merchant marine sailors waved to the crowd from an old wooden lifeboat named "Ancient Mariners." Judith Hirsch of Medford said she would liked to have seen more women veterans marching in the parade. "It was kind of sad," said Hirsch, who served in the Army in Vietnam and Europe during the first half of the 1970s. She wore a "Women Are Veterans, Too" sticker on the back of her coat. After the parade, organizer Ferrell said more people need to get involved to make the parade a bigger event. "There's about five of us trying to put this all together," he said. "It should be a city event, not just a veterans' event. It could be a time for the city to shine." Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.