A veterans organization is seeking funds so it can appropriately honor veterans in an upcoming parade.
The United Veterans’ Day Parade Committee of Greater New York is looking for sponsorships from the community to purchase new flags for this year’s Veterans’ Day Parade in Throggs Neck.
The organization’s goal for the next two months is to raise enough funds to purchase a total of 100 flags. The flags will consist of a mix of American and service flags to represent the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as a ‘Prisoner of War/Missing In Action’ flags which will be used during the march and throughout the parade route.
Each flag will cost about $50, which includes the pole, bracket and hardware. The committee encourages that donations for flag sponsors are made in honor of a loved one, a family member or even just to show patriotism.
“It’s very important that we recognize all that veterans have done for us – and for the parade we need the flags to be in pristine condition,” said Carolyn Engeldrum, president of the United Veterans’ Day Parade Committee of Greater New York, which organizes and conducts the annual parade in Throggs Neck. “This is a very patriotic neighborhood and the parade is a great way to give back to our veterans and show how much we appreciate them.”
According to Engeldrum, flags along the Veterans’ Day Parade route are replaced every few years due to wear and tear from the weather. However, due to the severity of rainstorms in the past year, many of the flags need to be replaced for the parade.
Engeldrum also stated that once a flag is ripped, torn or otherwise damaged, it must be retired, which is done during a separate ceremony.
This year’s Veterans’ Day Parade, which will celebrate its 35th year as well as the 100-year anniversary of the American Legion, will be held on Sunday, November 10 at noon and will begin at Lafayette and East Tremont avenues. The parade will continue along East Tremont Avenue to Randall Avenue and conclude with the annual ceremony at Bicentennial Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919, the American Legion is the largest wartime veterans service organization in the country.
To support the cause and make a contribution, which will be tax deductible, make all checks payable to United Veterans’ Day Parade Committee of Greater New York, Inc., P.O. Box 835, Bronx, NY 10465. Checks should be mailed no later than Friday, October 25.
Contributors names and/or businesses will be recognized in the Bronx Times-Reporter.
