It was a hot, sunny day for the 2015 Kirkland Independence Day Parade. We had a good turnout of submarine veterans, including the Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC), and their families. As usual, the city of Kirkland did a nice job with the parade and all the festivities for celebrating Independence Day. Veterans were presented with a boutonniere and we had some pizza and other treats before the parade. The parade route was lined with a large and enthusiastic crowd. We all had a good time at the parade.
Here are some photos from before and during the parade.
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| Seattle Base members Doug Gilman, Bill Giese, Dave Schueler, Doug Abramson, Steve Benn, and Earl Greening |
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| More members keeping cool: back row - Jim Harper, Ralph Sterley, Lynda and Steve Shelton, and Schell Harmon, front row Keith and Judy Watson, Fran and Dick Gonzalez, and Pierre Bruneau |
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| The Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC) parked before the parade |
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| Veterans keeping cool by Heritage Hall |
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| Schell and Av Harmon grab some pizza |
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| Jerry Gerten and Sue enjoying lunch |
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| Jay Davis keeping cool |
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| Ralph Sterley, Andrea Geisler, and Dave Schueler |
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| All the veterans gather at Heritage Hall for a group photo |
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| Seattle Base USSVI and SSMC members pose for a group photo |
With lunch and the group photos out of the way, it was time to get ready for the parade
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| Bob Opple talked Fran Gonzalez into riding with him in his sidecar (Bill Thompson made sure to get in the background on this photo). |
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| The parade kicked off with a fly-over by a B-25, F-6 Hellcat, and T-6 Texan trainer |
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| Doug Abramson carries the flag to lead the SubVets |
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| Bill Giese, Earl Greening, Ralph Sterley, and Scott Milne carried the banners |
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| The float had a number of riders and Doug Gilman handed out buttons |
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| Schell Harmon and Pierre Bruneau man the starboard side of the float |
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| Jim Harper tows the float with Jay Davis and Judy Watson |
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| Larry Abbot, Keith Watson, and Dick Gonzalez cover the port side of the float |
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| The Silent Service Motorcycle Club followed the float with Steve Benn in the lead |
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| Followed by Bob's bike and sidecar |
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| And then Jerry and Bill |
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| We were able to find a little shade along the parade route, but it was pretty warm out |
We all had a good time at the parade and we're looking forward to next year's parade.
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