When the 34th Annual Bronx Veterans Day Parade in Throggs Neck steps off on Sunday, November 18, two deceased veterans with strong ties to the borough will be remembered.
Posthumously remembered are honorary grand marshals Dr. Paul Golluscio and John Powers, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veterans respectively, when the parade steps off at noon at Lafayette and E. Tremont Avenues.
Friends and family of the two American heroes will remember their loved ones sacrifices by joining parade grand marshal, Robert Doonan, a U.S. Army Captain who served during the Vietnam War with the 101st Aviation Battalion, in the march, which concludes at Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park with a ceremony.
Golluscio began serving in the U.S. Army reserves in 1961 and retired decades later with the rank of Sergeant Major.
He earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal.
Golluscio, sometimes known to friends as ‘Doc’ because he had a Chiropractic practice in Pelham Bay, lived in the borough for most his life, and he was a long-time member of Samuel Young American Legion Post #620.
Owen Mangan, post commander, said that Golluscio left his mark on the post, and went above and beyond doing community work like talking to groups at schools about Americanism and teaching golf to inner city youth who would otherwise not have the opportunity to play the sport.
“We did not realize how much he did at Samuel Young until he was gone,” said Mangan of Golluscio.
Mangan said that as post adjutant, Doc helped veterans and their family members get the benefits that were due them from the VA.
The Samuel Young commander added the honorary grand marshal recognition was well-deserved.
“Everyone in this community knew Doc,” said Mangan. “If they didn’t know him through the American Legion, they knew him through his chiropractic business, so I think this is a fitting tribute to him.”
The late Powers, who served four years active duty in the United States Strategic Air Command as a cook during the Korean War, fondly recalled his days in the service throughout his life, said two of his children.
Powers was an Airman First Class who served a tour in England.
After he was honorably discharged in 1955, he then served two years in the inactive reserves.
David Powers, son of John Powers, said his father would sometimes attend the Bronx Veterans Day Parade in Throggs Neck.
Power’s family is planning to celebrate the veteran’s life, with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren marching in the parade.
“We have had a banner made with his picture and dates of service on it,” said David Powers. “I am sure we are going to have 30 and 40 people walking behind the banner.”
John Powers, the honoree’s son, said that if his dad would have been able to see himself being honored by the parade, he would he would love it, though he didn’t seek out recognition.
The son recalled that his dad would sometimes speak of his time in the service when he fed his six children dinner. Powers lived much of his life in Edgewater Park.
“He was always patriotic,” he son remembered.
Councilman Mark Gjonaj will be sponsoring the pre-parade breakfast previously held by Senator Klein for the marchers.
