Nashville Veteran's Day Parade, 2000 Members of the Mid-South Chapter, VHPA, marched in the 11 Nov 00 Veteran's Day Parade, our third such participation, on an absolutely perfect day. Nashville really knows how to put on a "Welcome Home" for all veterans! The "Thank You's" from parade viewers were loud, numerous, and sincere.
Responding to a press release inviting all former RVN helicopter pilots to "come on down" and join us was Bob Colson of Franklin, TN. Attending members welcomed him and began an intense, but friendly, recruiting effort!
Ken Culwell attaches our banner to front of his
beautifully restored 1948 Jeep, the second year
he's graciously brought his "baby."
L-R: Jim Delvaux, Rhea Rippey, Ross Rainwater (Cav Hat),
Ken Culwell (Cav Hat), Tom Williams (back), Bob Colson (front),
Chris Horton (in jungle fatigues he still fit!!), and Tom Reeves.
Tom Reeves checks parade details while the
rest of us do a little "Mill Around, Mill."
More "hurry up and wait" for the parade start.
Looking east along the parade route to downtown
Nashville. The tallest building is the Renaissance
Hotel, site of the 1999 VHPA Annual Reunion.
Veteran on left with back to camera dropped by
to say thanks. We pressed him into service as
photographer for our group shot.
A flyover by 4 TNARNG Cobras, not long after
a TNANG C-130 made a low pass down the
parade route. Not the tightest formation, but since
when did "gunnies" have to fly formation, anyway?!?!After the parade, we adjourned to a local restaurant, where
we were joined by another MSVHPA member,
George Neely, and his family.
