On The March

Two F-15 Eagle fighter jets roared low over the streets of Springfield this morning, signifying that the Veteran's Day Parade was about to start. Up the hill on State Street, police cars and motorcycles led the way...



The first, and biggest, group of paraders were the Central High School Junior ROTC.





For such a large and young group, they marched in surprisingly crisp order, as the drum beat a solemn note...





Following, was a small group of elected officials, including Mayor Dom Sarno. (that'll be the guy in the long black coat...with the hair...not the boy scout...)



The Cathedral High School Marching Panthers provided some lighter tunes.



Though a smaller group, the Commerce High JROTC matched Central's in skill at moving as a unit.







Interspersed among the larger groups were several smaller ones. Like the Buffalo Soldiers roaring by on their Harleys...



The Post Office represented themselves, and passed out flags to the crowd as they went...





The Air Force ROTC was led by fife-weilding kids...



The Baystate Submarine Veterans brought their own transportation...(I'm not sure what the broom in the periscope is about)...



And Sci-Tech's JROTC was lead by bagpipes.





On came the Melha Shriners, in case there was any doubt this was a parade...





Years of practice have made them pretty adept with their bikes and go carts.



Don't try this at home!



This fire truck brought up the rear, with sirens wailing....



And not two minutes later...



All was back to normal...