2008 Parade Details

What: 15th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade

When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.
Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive

Grand Marshal: Colonel Matthew H. Arens, Vice Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing

Honoree: Cpl. Aaron M. Griner

National Anthem by: Cristina Querrer
Master of Ceremonies: Bill Carl - WTBN - AM 570 & 910

Fly Over: 6TH Air Mobility Wing - KC135 Tanker

2008 Parade Grand Marshal - Colonel Matthew H. Arens

COL. MATTHEW H. ARENS is the vice commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. As vice commander, he assists the wing commander in leading more than 3,000 people, overseeing base property and capital assets totaling more than $2.8 billion, and controlling an annual budget exceeding $249 million. The wing's overall mission is to provide worldwide air refueling and combatant commander airlift support in addition to the support of Headquarters U.S Central Command, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, and 50 other mission partners that call MacDill home. Colonel Arens entered the Air Force in September 1983 through an ROTC commission from the University of Illinois. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flight hours in the T-37, T-38, KC-135A/E/R, RC-135 and KC-10A, including combat and combat support missions in Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Restore Hope. Prior to assuming his current position, Colonel Arens was the Chief, Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century for Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

EDUCATION

1983 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Illinois

1990 Master of Arts in Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle University

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster

Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Aerial Achievement Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Kosovo Campaign Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Southwest Asia Medal with two campaign stars

Kuwaiti Liberation Medal

2008 Honoree - Army Cpl. Aaron M Griner

Army Corporal Aaron M. Griner, age 24, died June 28, 2006 in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, while in support of Operation Mountain Thrust, when his vehicle struck a mine during combat operations. Aaron was was a health care specialist assigned to Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Fort Drum, New York

A native of Tampa, former student at Tampa Bay Tech, and an avid soccer player at Town N' Country's Hanley Complex, Griner entered the Army in February 2004 and completed basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. After completing advanced individual training to be a combat medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he was assigned to Fort Drum in September 2004. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 'V' Device, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Medic Badge.

Aaron is survived by his wife Amanda and their young son Austin of New York; his mother Anita Bridges of Atlanta; two sisters, Annie VanHorn of Brandon and Megan Griner of Atlanta Georgia; and his father Ernest Griner of Tampa. Aarons family will ride in the Honorees car leading the parade.

2007 Parade Details

What: 14th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade

When: Saturday, November 10, 2007

Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.

Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive
Grand Marshal: Colonel Robert D. Thomas, Commander, MacDill Air Force Base and Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing

Honoree: Sgt. Bryan C. Luckey, US Army

National Anthem by: Cristina Querrer

Master of Ceremonies: Bill Carl of 570 AM (WTBN)

2007 Parade Honoree - Bryan C. Luckey

Army Sgt. Bryan C. Luckey25, of Tampa, Fla.; assigned to the 562nd Engineer Company, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; killed June 29 when he was shot by enemy forces while on mounted patrol in Mosul, Iraq.

A graduate of Tampa's Emmanuel Christian Academy, he attended Bible college for a year, where he studied to be a Baptist preacher.

He attended Leto High School and joined the ROTC. He joined the Army after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, because he felt a sense of duty to his country.

Bryan was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

2006 Parade Details

What: 13th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade

When: Saturday, November 11, 2006

Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.

Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive

Grand Marshal: Colonel Timothy S. Smith, Vice Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill AFB

Honorees: Lance Cpl. Kevin G. Waruinge, USMC, of Tampa, Fla. and Mark Fogarty (USMC) parade co-founder

Master of Ceremonies: Ron Diaz - 620 WDAE Sports Animal

National Anthem Singer: Sonja Wise - Tampa Police Dept.

Flyover: A KC-135 Tanker from the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill AFB

The executive committee of Veterans Day Parade Group, Inc. is currently organizing this years parade. For additional information not provided here, email us at: VeteransParade@Yahoo.com

2006 Parade Grand Marshal

COLONEL TIMOTHY S. SMITH, USAF, is the vice commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. As vice commander, he assists the wing commander in leading more than 3,000 people, overseeing base property and capital assets totaling more than $2.8 billion, and controlling an annual budget exceeding $249 million. The wing’s overall mission is to provide worldwide air refueling and combatant commander airlift in support of the Air Force’s Global Reach, Global Power mission, and to provide support to Headquarters U.S. Central Command, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, and 50 other mission partners that call MacDill home.

Colonel Smith entered the Air Force in 1983 as a graduate of the University of Alabama. His career includes a variety of operational and staff positions including a tour as Commander, 97th Air Refueling Squadron, Aide-de-Camp for the Commander, 21st Air Force, and as an instructor pilot in the C-141, C-12, KC-10 and KC-135 aircraft.

Colonel Smith has also served as Chief, Commander’s Action Group, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

2006 Parade Honorees

Kevin Waruinge - Honoree

Marine Lance Corporal Kevin Waruinge (22), a 2001 graduate of Tampa's West Gate Christian School, became a U.S. citizen while serving in the United States Marine Corp. Born and raised in Kenya, Kevin and his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1998.

Keven Waruinge died on August 3, 2005 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Gulfport, Mississippi where he worked as a mechanic on amphibious assault vehicles.

Kevin's parents, Patrick and Rose Waruinge, and his two brothers reside in Tampa and will be our guests of honor this year.

Mark Fogarty - Honoree:
Mark Fogarty (1949 – 2006), USMC: A native of Gary, Indiana, Mark served as a proud U.S. Marine from 1967 to 1972, earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star from his tours of service in Vietnam. Mark was a co-founder of the Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade, past chairman of the Town N Country Alliance, and past president of the Town N Country Chamber of Commerce.

2005 Grand Marshal with Honorees

Col. Margaret Woodward, Commanding Officer of MacDill AFB, and husband, Col. Daniel Woodward, pose for a photo with the 05 parade honorees, Vila Brothers: Joe, Willie, Wilfred, Hector, Joe, Denio and Tony.

Veterans Day Parade Group, Inc. would like to thank all of our sponsors for their tremendous support this year. We especially want to recognize Corporal Donald Morris of the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, and Paula Jory of Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Dept. for their efforts in support of the parade. We could not have done it without them.

Additionally, we thank the entire Tampa Bay community for turning out in large numbers to show our local veterans that we care.

Board Members with the Colonels

Colonel Margaret Woodward, Commanding Officer of MacDill AFB, and husband Colonel Daniel Woodward take a few minutes after the parade to discuss the days events with executive board members (L-R) Brian Boyle, Chairman; E. Rock Roque, Treasurer; and Gerald Jacobs, Volunteer Coordinator.

Uncle Sam sponsored by Bill Currie Ford

Uncle Sam was in attendance again this year thanks to one of our Gold Sponsors, Bill Currie Ford.

2005 Parade Route CHANGE

The route of this years parade has changed slightly due to construction in last years staging area. This year's staging area is at Morgan Woods Elementary School on Armand Drive. This is the same staging area we used for the 2001 Parade.

Parade will proceed north on Armand Drive to Barry Road; west on Barry Road to Hanley Road; and south on Hanley Road to the review stand at Webb Middle School. The parade will terminate south of the review stand at Hanley Road and Paula Drive. Additional parade info found at: http://www.geocities.com/veteransparade/Veterans_Parade.html

2005 Veterans Parade - Grand Marshal

Col. Margaret Woodward, Installation Commander of MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa Florida, and Commanding Officer of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, will serve as this years Parade Grand Marshal.

As the Base Commander, she is responsible for more than $2.8 billion in base property and capital assets, and controls an annual budget exceeding $249 million. The wing’s overall mission is to provide worldwide air refueling and combatant commander airlift in support of the Air Force’s Global Reach, Global Power mission and to provide support to HQ U.S. Central Command, HQ U.S. Special Operations Command and 49 other mission partners that call MacDill home.

Colonel Woodward graduated from Arizona State University in 1982. She flew and commanded in Operations JUST CAUSE, NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH and ALLIED FORCE. She commanded the 92nd Expeditionary Refueling Squadron, 97th Air Refueling Squadron and 12th Operations Group. She served in the office of the Secretary of Defense as Director of Protocol and Military Assistant. Colonel Woodward has also served as Deputy Director for Colonel Matters, Air Force Senior Leader Management Office, Washington, D.C.

EDUCATION: 1982 Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 1995 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, Master of Aviation Science, 1997 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL,. 2001 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.

2005 Veterans Day Parade - Honorees

This years honorees are the seven Vila brothers of Tampa. All seven brothers have served this country in the armed forces. They are:

• Joe Vila, 82. He served with the Marine Corps during World War II. He was involved in battles in Guadalcanal, where the soldiers were attacked by Japanese fighter planes. A bomb exploded next to Vila, and he spent months in hospitals with back, leg and shoulder injuries. He received a Purple Heart. He lives in West Tampa.

• Willie Vila, 81. He also served with the Marines during World War II and was deployed to Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Peleliu Island, New Caledonia and Okinawa. In Okinawa, a mortar shell hit him, and he suffered a chest wound and temporarily lost his sight. He received three Purple Hearts, the Navy Cross and the French Heart. He lives in West Tampa.

• Wilfred Vila, 79. He served with the Army during World War II and parachuted for the 82nd Airborne. He was later assigned to retrieve prisoners of war. He lives in Sun City Center.

• Hector Vila, 74. He served in the Marines during the Korean War and fought on the front lines as a machine gunner. He lives in West Tampa.

• Robert Vila, 73. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was on a battleship that fired against enemy railroads, harbors and positions. He lives in Carrollwood.

• Denio Vila, 67. He served in the Army from 1960-62 and in the reserves from 1962-66. He was a medical specialist. He lives in Land O' Lakes.

• Tony Vila, 61. He served in the Navy from 1962-66 and was in active reserves from 1975-95. His ship was sent to Cuba as part of the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis in November 1962. He later served as a hospital corpsman and Spanish translator. In 1965, he was sent to Vietnam, and in 1991 he served in Operation Desert Storm. He lives in Carrollwood.

Veterans on float in 2002 Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade

American Legion Post 152 Honor Guard in 2002 parade.

Marine Corp Honor Guard marching in the 2002 Veterans Day Parade in Tampa's Town N Country neighborhood.

Rough Riders in 2002 parade.

Rough Riders in 2002 Parade

Rough Riders in 2002 parade.

Rough Riders in 2002 Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade