2011 Veteran's Day Parade
On a cold but sunny day Corvette Indy members met up with the Circle City members to participate in the Veteran's Day Parade on 11/11/11. Between the two clubs we were able to have 21 Corvettes with many years, styles, and colors represented. As always the participating members appreciated the chance to give back a little of our time in response to the time and sacrifices that Veterans have made for us through out the years.
Without Veterans we would not live in a country able to have Corvettes and parades to display them in.
Full Event Article below pictures
Without Veterans we would not live in a country able to have Corvettes and parades to display them in.
Full Event Article below pictures
_Veteran’s Day Parade
November 11, 2011 (11/11/11)
__
The
morning started as a beautiful day for November, mostly sunny and temperature
in the mid-thirties. Some of us who came from the north met at Greg & Donna’s
home before caravanning to the parade site. While at Greg’s we observed the
construction of his new four car garage addition.
We left with Donna in the group and Greg staying home awaiting contractors at around 9:30 a.m. and proceeded downtown uneventfully. We were to stage on North Street, on the north side of the Federal Building. Les Pickett and others went directly downtown because Donna’s home was way too far out of their way. On our way, Les telephoned and informed me the parade staging was in total disarray. They were not allowing any parking next to the Federal Building, either on North Street or on Pennsylvania.
Les called me twice more with updates. He continued talking with the police and it was decided we should stop temporarily along the east curb on Delaware Street, before North Street. So there we were, parked in front of no parking signs, yellow curbs, driveways and fire hydrants. If it had been a normal day, we would all received illegal parking tickets.
The problem turned out to be a Federal Building Security Guard (his name had to be Barney Fife) who was trying to show off his authority. Remember, the Federal Building was closed for the holiday! He was blathering on about Homeland Security, car bombs and who knows what. The National Guard parade marshals and the Indianapolis Police were ready to strangle this low-life.
Eventually, a compromise was worked out, or the Security Guard experienced a horrible “accident”, no one would talk about it. We were allowed to proceed west on North Street to Pennsylvania Street and turn north on Pennsylvania, the wrong way, and line up just north of North Street. Confused yet?
After this, we had the standard hurry-up and wait routine till the parade started. In the meantime, the National Guard was offering complimentary coffee, donuts and rest rooms at the Tyndall Armory just down the street. Also, the Elbow Room had all varieties of anti-freeze for sale.
We had 21 cars in the parade, led by Fred in “old yeller”. Because we had members from CCCC and Corvette Indy, we were able to present an impressive group of Corvettes. I think we are a crowd favorite because the cameras really start to click when we drive by.
After the parade, most of us went to Shapiro’s for lunch. There was plenty of parking in their lot. The line was long but moved quickly and the food is always delicious. Although the day did not start out as smoothly as I would have liked, I believe everyone had a good time and are probably willing to do it again next year.
Article by John Herder Circle City’s parade liaison
We left with Donna in the group and Greg staying home awaiting contractors at around 9:30 a.m. and proceeded downtown uneventfully. We were to stage on North Street, on the north side of the Federal Building. Les Pickett and others went directly downtown because Donna’s home was way too far out of their way. On our way, Les telephoned and informed me the parade staging was in total disarray. They were not allowing any parking next to the Federal Building, either on North Street or on Pennsylvania.
Les called me twice more with updates. He continued talking with the police and it was decided we should stop temporarily along the east curb on Delaware Street, before North Street. So there we were, parked in front of no parking signs, yellow curbs, driveways and fire hydrants. If it had been a normal day, we would all received illegal parking tickets.
The problem turned out to be a Federal Building Security Guard (his name had to be Barney Fife) who was trying to show off his authority. Remember, the Federal Building was closed for the holiday! He was blathering on about Homeland Security, car bombs and who knows what. The National Guard parade marshals and the Indianapolis Police were ready to strangle this low-life.
Eventually, a compromise was worked out, or the Security Guard experienced a horrible “accident”, no one would talk about it. We were allowed to proceed west on North Street to Pennsylvania Street and turn north on Pennsylvania, the wrong way, and line up just north of North Street. Confused yet?
After this, we had the standard hurry-up and wait routine till the parade started. In the meantime, the National Guard was offering complimentary coffee, donuts and rest rooms at the Tyndall Armory just down the street. Also, the Elbow Room had all varieties of anti-freeze for sale.
We had 21 cars in the parade, led by Fred in “old yeller”. Because we had members from CCCC and Corvette Indy, we were able to present an impressive group of Corvettes. I think we are a crowd favorite because the cameras really start to click when we drive by.
After the parade, most of us went to Shapiro’s for lunch. There was plenty of parking in their lot. The line was long but moved quickly and the food is always delicious. Although the day did not start out as smoothly as I would have liked, I believe everyone had a good time and are probably willing to do it again next year.
Article by John Herder Circle City’s parade liaison