How it came about!

Anyone who has served in the military is very familiar with parades... Some love parades. Others could well have done without. But, love or hate, we all had to attend. Having joined the Air Force as an enlisted man, I had, over thirty years, had my good share of parades, for all pretexes and under all weather conditions. Having gone up in rank over the years, I was, shortly before my retirement, in the fortunate position to do something about the dreariness of parades!

Never during those thirty years had I attended a parade which I could have fondly remembered for years after the event. Oh, there were some I am not about to forget..., the weather was atrocious (either overbearingly hot and humid or terribly cold, or wet or...). But I couldn't remember any 'happy' parade. So, I decided to have Santa help me make a memorable event.

Had I listened to the advice given me at the time, the parade would have never taken place with Santa. Some were of the opinion it would be 'undignified' (it wasn't); others felt I would be fired, court martialed or facing a firing squad. Wishful thinking it was as none of that ever happened. I knew my people... I knew they would take it in the spirit it was given. And they did.

Not everyone who was on base that day remember that special parade. For example, invitations were sent to all Senior Officers on the base but very few did attend. After all, they were not all retiring in six months! Those officers don't remember. However, the 200 or so who were part of the captive audience (those on parade) do remember. To this day, I still meet some of the old staff who were on that parade and they remember, boy, do they remember!

Following are but three of the many photos taken that day but they will help get an idea of what it was like. For the 'real' feeling and the memories.... you just had to be there

The Inspection Party, Santa as ADC.

The March Past - Very dignified!

The Group Photo - With Santa and the NCO's.
Ah... the memories.

Evergreen