HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-2017 VAB MinutesTo: Joe Griffin
Sebastian City Manager
Subject: Memorandum for Record concerning 4th of July Parade 2017
July 9, 2017
Every year at the beginning of the parade there is an on-going battle for who goes first.
No one wants to be last. This year it was particularly embarrassing for the VFW Post
10210 Commander and their float. They were forced to be last behind the Gold Star
Mothers and the Indian River County Veterans Council.
This year the VFW Post 10210 was the only local veteran's organization that signed a
release form and registered for the parade. The American Legion Post "didn't have
time" to address the issue the day 1 stopped for a signature and Commander Newland
did not respond to my phone calls to meet and sign the required forms. I believe the
Veterans Council filed on time with the Lions.
On parade day, The American Legion had two tri -wheel motorcycles following the grand
marshal and a convertible with Commander Newland. The VFW should have been next,
however, the bus from the Veteran's Council forced it's way in over my objection. LTC
Martin Zickert leaned out the window and began yelling about their right to be next. I'm
not sure where the Veteran's Council gets off thinking that they run the parade in
Sebastian. The gold star moms float followed the Veteran's Council and our VFW Post
in Sebastian was dead last. I would have thought that a retired LTC would have
understood that there is a protocol to follow but maybe that's expecting too much from
the Air Force.
Bottom Line ... I did not appreciate being yelled at by someone with no authority
especially when they were totally wrong. We owe the VFW an apology and so does the
Veteran's Council.
I am attaching a parade order of march for future use.
Andrea Coy
Vice Mayor
City of Sebastian
4th of July Order of Parade
1. Military Honor Guard — Local Group
The Honor Guard is the escort for the...
2. Grand Marshal
All veterans groups fall -in behind the Grand Marshal
3. VFW Post 10210 — VFW federally chartered in 1899
4. American Legion Post 189 — American Legion federally chartered in 1919
5. Veteran's Council of Indian River County — incorporated 2011
6. Any other legitimate veteran's organization
7. Sebastian Police Department (if participating)
8. Sheriffs Department
9. City Council
10. Sharks HS Marching Band
REMEMBER... THIS PARADE IS SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN
If there is a conflict... Sebastian comes first.