Hammond’s 8th Annual Veteran Appreciation Day was bigger and better this year as more people wanted to celebrate those who served on Saturday, Nov. 6.
The City of Hammond celebrated the event with a parade and a short program. The parade included veterans, several veterans organizations such as the local American Legions and VFW posts, a few marching bands, a handful of politicians, two military organizations, and local emergency responders.
Not only did the number of entities in the parade increase, but so did the audience. The audience included several veterans but also those who also loved veterans. One woman, Sharon Fleming, has attended the parade since it was organized. Each year Fleming stands on the sidewalk and holds a photo of her father, W.F. Sharp, who served in World War II.
“He was very proud to be a veteran,” Fleming said. “He was 17 when he enlisted, and that makes me even more proud that at 17, he wanted to do something for our country. He did what he needed to do back then.”
Fleming was just one of a handful of people who held a photo of the veteran they loved. Many attendees waved flags or had a sign of support.
The grand marshal of the parade was U.S. Army SPC 4, Dan Spitale. Spitale, who is a Hammond Council member, served in the Vietnam era.
“This is the best honor I’ve had as a councilman. I’ve been a councilman for 14 years, and this is the most honorable thing I’ve ever had,” Spitale said. “A few years ago, we only had a few people come to watch us. Today, this is the biggest parade we’ve had since I’ve been doing these.”
Spitale was part of one of the most significant drafts since 1968.
“I was nervous because they didn’t tell you what you were going to do or where you were you had to go. But the thing that scared me the most was the day I had my ticket to go was April Fool’s Day of 1968. I thought this couldn’t be too good,” Spitale said.
Spitale completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Advanced Infantry Training in the Tigerland section of Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served 11 months as a weapons specialist and was shipped to Kaiserslautern, Germany, and then Baumholder, Germany. Spitale served for two years. Although he left the Army in June of 1970, he will never forget the friends he made.
“Everybody bonds together when they are in the military because they are all away from home,” Spitale said. “I’ve met some of their families, and their friendships are one of the best things I’ve had in my life.”
Spitale worked for Inland Steel Power Plant for 31 years and has been a realtor for more than 35 years.
One of the many veterans at the parade and program was Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. McDermott said this is one of the only local parades that honor veterans. The parade initially began in downtown Hammond, but the route wasn’t ideal. It was rerouted to Hammond’s 5th and 6th districts, where there was more participation.
“We get veterans from all over Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area. We have a troupe of young men and women here that want to join the Air Force from Illinois,” McDermott said. “It’s becoming a big thing.”
The parade lasted for more than an hour and ended at Hessville Park Veteran Memorial.
