Monday was Veterans Day so I went to downtown Tulsa to see their annual Veterans Day Parade.
The Tulsa Police Department opened it up with their motorcycles and right behind them was a Junior ROTC Marine Color Guard looking sharp in their uniforms.
And then dignitaries in vintage military vehicles.
And then the floats. This one was done by my former employer. ONEOK (pronounced One Oak) always shows up big for the Veterans Day Parade.
And then a bunch of ONEOK employees followed the float. Other companies had floats as well.
And then another JROTC color guard.
The Booker T Washington High School Marching band shows up for the parade looking snappy in the uniforms.
And the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department shows up with one of their armored vehicles.
And if you know tornado belt culture you know that Storm Trackers are celebrities. When they are not working they go to events and will sign autographs for you. Here is Van Castor’s pickup truck. These guys follow the storms and tornadoes as they develop. Here in Oklahoma we don’t run for shelter when the tornadoes come, we run outside to take a look at them.
One veteran didn’t make the parade. Here is my brother Bob.
Twenty years in the Navy and more afterwards as a civilian employee. This is his door wreath put together by our sister Ellen.
He is in assisted living here and living life. Left to right, Irv (Career Army Vet), his wife (and sister to Bob and I) Ellen, son to Heather and I, Logan, and kneeling my wife Heather.
A photo I took of Bob several years ago when he turned 66.
Here he is in Tulsa several years ago. He used to visit and run in our local half marathon. He’s run over a hundred half marathons and over fifty full marathons. He doesn’t run any longer but he gives life everything he has.
I’m linking with My Corner of the World
It looks like quite a parade, and a great turnout. There is a definite family resemblance between you and your brother! That is such a perfect shirt for him, isn’t it! 🙂
So glad to see a pic of brother Bob and family. I love his special wreath.
Interesting to read about storm trackes.
Salute and respect to Bob!
A lovely post. Good to see all of you!
Very nice. From another Navy to your brother Bob, thanks for his service.
A really important day for us all to respect, we call it Armistace Day.