Orlando’s Veterans Day Parade
The 332nd Tuskegee Airmen Fighter Group, known
as the Red Tails, were the
first African American Air
Corps in World War II.
They were considered an
elite group of fighter pilots
that were sent to various
bases in Europe and earned
an impressive combat record as flying escorts for
the United States bombers.
The Allies called these airmen “Red Tails” or “RedTail Angels” because of the
distinctive crimson paint
predominantly applied on
the tail section of their aircrafts.
Four surviving Red Tail
pilots will be this year’s
grand marshals for the parade: Major Ralph Turner,
Colonel Charles McGee,
Lieutenant Colonel Leo
Mayor Buddy Dyer
Sponsored by Sprint, the
parade had the participation of men and women
from more than 100 Central
Florida veteran organizations, active duty military,
high school JROTCs and
the UCF AFROTC. Bands
include the White Plains
School Blue Brigade, Florida Brass Alumni Drum
and Bugle Corps, First
Academy Royal Marching
Band, Bishop Moore Catholic High School Band and
Jones High School Marching Tigers.
It was a great parade where
we were amazed by the
overwhelming number of
kids that are already joining the Armed Forces, in a
surprising superior number, that topped last year’s
parade. Among all officials,
All City Commissioners,
Orange County Property
Appraiser Rick Singh and
his entire Office, Congressman Daniel Webster, and
many beautiful Displays.
The audience was present
interacting and applauding
everything, it was amazing, hard to describe without bringing back the high
emotions.
Commissioner Patty Sheehan
About The City Beautiful
The parade kicked off with
a tribute to those who have
fought for our country and
defended our freedom led
by Mayor Dyer and local
veterans. This year, the parade also paid tribute to
the Red Tail Pilots of the
Tuskegee Airmen.
Gray and Lieutenant Colonel Hiram Mann. The parade provides a unique way
to honor and recognize the
accomplishments of these
airmen, and the outstanding military service that
they provided to our country.
Commissioner Tony Ortiz
Mayor Buddy Dyer invited
Central Florida residents
and visitors to join him
and his Veterans Advisory
Council to honor the courageous men and women
of our armed forces at the
14th annual Orlando Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 9, 2013, in
Downtown Orlando.