Media Honors Vets With Annual Parade
By David Madden
MEDIA, Pa., (CBS) -- Media, Delaware County played host to its 56th annual Veterans Day parade.
This parade is one of the oldest in the country and it's seen crowds large and small over the years as popular national sentiments rise and fall. Thomas Brown, Senior Vice Commander of the VFW in Pennsylvania, believe young people understand the sacrifices made by those who served this country.
"We've got a generation coming along," Brown told KYW Newsradio. " They're patriotic once again. Very, very strong."
Among those in that next generation is Miles Randolph, a senior at Valley Forge Military Academy, who wants to go to college, and then become a Marine. "Granted there are a lot of people that served," he said, "but when you compare that to the population, they say it's roughly 1 or 2 percent that actually wanted to go out there and put their lives on the line. So one day is the least we can do."
Media has a long, patriotic history. There's even a veterans museum here. Mike Panco, who served in Vietnam, believes support for people like him is on the upswing in this country. "This is the one day a year where we really celebrate all of the veterans and thank them for their service and remember those who have died in combat," he said. "It's just the American way."
But he adds that among young people he's met, it will sometimes take losing a family member to combat to get them to appreciate the solemnity of this day
Not every war is popular. History tells us that. But over time political agendas give way to an understanding, and gratitude, for those who heeded the call.
