CWA to Honor Vets, Armed Forces in D.C. Parade Nov. 10

To honor the continuing sacrifice of members of the U.S. armed forces, CWA will be sponsoring a float in a Nov. 10 Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC. The parade, part of the weekend's Veterans' Day celebrations, will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial ("The Wall"). Some 50,000 participants are expected at the parade and day's events, hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund.

Hundreds of CWA members and veterans from the area and neighboring states are expected to attend the event and march with CWA's contingent in the parade down Constitution Avenue. Districts 2, 3, 4, and 13 have volunteered to provide transportation to and from the event. CWA Local 13000 has already reserved one bus. "It's something we need to do to show our appreciation for their sacrifice," said Local EVP Tom Crawford, who chairs the local's veterans' committee. "We have members, friends, and family serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hot spots, and many of us served in Vietnam." Locals interested in participating are encouraged to contact Bill Bates at CWA headquarters at bbates@cwa-union.org, or by calling 202-434-1333.

"It's so important that members of the armed forces know they are supported back home," said CWA Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Easterling, who is spearheading CWA's participation in and support for the event. "No matter what we happen to feel about the war in Iraq, it's our sons and daughters who are paying the ultimate sacrifice, and they need to be honored. I encourage everyone to participate," she said.

CWA members will be staging at CWA headquarters at 8:00 a.m. where box lunches will be distributed. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. following opening ceremonies on the National Mall which are set to begin at 10 a.m. Click here to print out an informational handout on the day's events. A full program can be reviewed at http://vva.org/25thEvent/event_info.htm.

CWA has a history of support for veterans and is supporting the efforts of Vietnam veteran Jim Mayer, a double amputee, who, as the "Milkshake Man," has been visiting injured troops at Walter Reed and other veterans' hospitals on a almost daily basis for the past 16 years. To support Mayer's efforts click here.