ANNUAL PLYMOUTH THANKSGIVING PARADE

Left to Right -Banner holders Paul Wesoly and Claire Millette from Flotilla 65 .

For the past 15 years, on the third weekend in November, the Town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, has hosted an event called America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration. The weekend festivity consists of a free patriotic concert on the Friday night, a parade on Saturday morning, and a Senior Drum and Bugle Reunion Concert on Sunday night.

Neil Brogan with Color Guardsmen (l to r) Michael McKenzie (FL5-25) Michael McCormack (FL65) and Jeff Vanskyhawk (FL 65).

 The organizers believe that, "Our mission is to educate the public while preserving our country's important history, starting with the Pilgrim legacy and Thanksgiving story while recognizing all those who have fought to protect the American way of life. We will accomplish this goal by producing a Thanksgiving celebration of excellence in Plymouth, America's Hometown, where Thanksgiving began. Through concerts honoring military sacrifice and a parade chronicling the Pilgrim legacy, spectators will leave with a sense of history and pride."

In addition to being considered the second largest parade in the Northeast, after the one that Macy's puts on in New York City, the Plymouth parade differentiates itself as America's only historically accurate chronological parade, visually bringing to life (in floats and marchers) America's rich heritage representing each century from the 17th through the 21st. Pilgrims, Native Americans, Soldiers, Patriots, and Pioneers proudly climb out of the history books and onto the streets of Plymouth.

Five years ago, James (Jim) Lambert, then Flotilla 64 Commander, living in Plymouth questioned why the parade that passed by his home never contained any Auxiliarists. So he did something about it. He enrolled the Division 6 Color Guard and District 1 NR marchers into the 2006 parade and a tradition was born.

Jim subsequently joined the Plymouth Parade Committee and had so much work to do that he turned over the Auxiliary Liaison position to Rona Trachtenberg, Public Affairs Officer of Division 6. Jim passed away in 2009 and the banner we carried that year paid tribute to Jim's hard work. In 2010, Peter Screnci, Vice Flotilla 64 Commander, joined the Plymouth Parade Committee and was able to, amongst other perks, get our delegation a better placement in the parade.

Onlookers finding a spot to view the parade.

The first two years Team Coast Guard marched we had a "float" with us. The rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) was brought down by Guardians from Station Point Allerton and its bright orange color was a real eye catcher. In subsequent years, the Parade Committee only wanted floats that were homemade period pieces and we weren't allowed to bring our RHIB again. Someday, I hope to have a replica USCG wooden lifeboat built so we can have our own float alongside our delegation.

Last year, we had the active duty personnel marching with us and that was a real treat. Two years ago, the turkey float in front of us broke down and without being asked six of our marchers jumped right in and rescued the turkey by moving it back up the hill and out of the way of the subsequent marchers.

Getting Ready.

Temperatures have ranged between 25 and 70 degrees with little to no wind or 40 mph gusts. Those wearing the full-length Mustangs suits are either toasty warm or sweating bullets. We are fortunate to have one Auxiliarist, Jane Ulewicz, who brings her spacious recreational vehicle (RV) with her. We use it to as a central headquarters in the muster area. We go inside the RV to get warm while waiting in the cold until it is our turn to march.

The 1.5 mile march route takes approximately two hours to slowly walk. This year, there were approximately 175,000 spectators lining every inch of the street. One of the most popular elements of our contingent has to be PFD Panda. Children along the parade route scream, "Panda, Panda, Panda" until the mascot comes over to them to shake their hand, give them a hug, or have their photo taken with him. The F-16 fly-over is also well received with applause and amazement by everyone in the town as it soars overhead.

Last, but not least, is the much-requested search and rescue (SAR) demonstration that last year drew the spectators away from the final float (Santa) and toward the water's edge. On years when the equipment isn't available or the weather is too harsh (like this year) the spectators are truly disappointed. We know this because they consistently come up to our public affairs exhibit tent and complain about why there wasn't any water rescue demonstration that year.

All in all, by participating in this worthy and highly visible event, District 1 believes we are fulfilling an important public affairs mission.

There were many Auxiliarists involved in this year's parade. They were, (flotilla number):

Division 6 coordinator was Division 6 Captain Warren Washburn.

Color Guard
Bob Millette (65), Mary Baumgartner (65), Rona Trachtenberg (65), Jeff Vanskyhawk (65), Mike McCormack (65) and Joe Correia (65)

Marching Corp.
David K. Clinton (12-3), Walter D. Scott (12-3), Dennis M. DeGabriele (11-2), William V. Cromwell (11-8), Paul Fontaine (10-4), Debra Hibert (10-4), Warren L Washburn (63), Carolyn Perrezzi (63), Jane Ulewicz (63), Jennifer Jones (64), Paul Wesoly (65), Lil Conceicao (65), "PFD Panda" Marty Conceicao (65), Claire Millette (65), Alice (Maria) Macedo (65), Jane Eastman (51), Michael McKenzie (5-25), and Laurel Carlson (65)

Public Affairs Booth
Sheila Natalie Braunstein (11-8), Rick Hoadley (64), Catherine Backstrom (64), Molly Cole (64), Ralph Dlouhy (63) and Rona Trachtenberg (65)

Reviewing Stand
COMO Paul Smith Valley, COMO Carolyn Belmore, COMO Renelle LeBlanc and Rose DeGabriele

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Parade Group	Michael McKenzie, Flotilla 5-25, and Jane Eastman, Flotilla 51, discuss plans	Neil Brogan poses with PFD Panda before the parade	Panda dons uniform	PFD Panda entertains the children.	PFD Panda Marty Conceicao of Flotilla 65 Division 6 District 1-NR.

WRH ~ 11/28/10