Wishing a solemn, comforting, and affirming Veterans Day

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Parade in a Small Town

I put together a small gif slideshow of 5 pics from a homecoming parade in Charleston, W.Va. that my father participated in sometime at the later end of the 40's. I think the mix of races in the crowd is fascinating.

Dad told me that on the way home after being shipped to New Guinea and back to the base out West, he had to change train cars on the rest of the way back home to Pennsylvania from the integrated train to the 'colored' rail line when they reached the segregated towns.

This parade and the obviously interested crowd is also notable for the young folks who witnessed this fascinating and pretty unique (for the time) unit of black soldiers. I've always named the one photo with the single soldier strutting out in front 'Proud Soldier' for the one fellow's sense of pride and the apparent appreciation shown by the mix of residents of the town looking on...




(Dad, in stride, third photo)

[WorkDoctor]

1. And don't forget Peace

after all, it was Armistice that sends soldiers home.

[abqtommy]

2. Thanks for sharing this personal history. nt

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3. kick

...had planned another longer post, but the 403 Forbidden is keeping me from posting the long essay.