There was no reason for not celebrating Veterans Day with a parade as had been the custom for years. Those who decided to cancel the parade owe an apology to those waiting at the VFW for the parade to form. At the least, a representative from the VFW could have notified those waiting in the parking lot that the parade was cancelled and to go directly to the ceremony at Goodwin Park. As for next years Veterans Day ceremony. It should continue to be held at Goodwin Park with a parade to proceed the Park ceremony. A lot of Vets. and their families are not in a position to make that trek to the Memorial Bridge.

The Scouts would have come!

How sad a commentary for our once proud military and their supporters.

a commentary on america's current military ventures

Democrats talk about Veterans before the election. Oh that's right it is after the election now isn't it.

Shame on you, Portsmouth. Even if only ONE veteran wanted to march today, this parade should have taken place.

Jack USMC
Johnson you are right on target. There are a great number of us who feel the way you do but please don't give up.

Pending approval----- is going to be my new name. lol. Why are Americans so afraid to speak up their minds ?? The news media act like we live in Iran--China----you have to be careful what you say. Don't offend anyone --or--we will delete your comment. You are 100 % correct, proud conservative. Hispanics--Gays taking over the country ? If you say something about them ? your comment is deleted ? America afraid of Hispanics ?? i hope not, but it looks that way to me.

New York city didn't give the soldiers comming home from a war a parade where were u people then. I am a Viet Nam era vet so I know disrespect.

Sad.......

Poor planning. How can you plan such an event on Sunday when many Americans are in worship service? Try 2 in afternoon on Sunday and you might have someone or do them on Saturday like most folks. Sunday church time is in direct conflict.

i think josh denton is the only man left in portsmouth.

There could be a very good reason that not enough veterans showed. Service in WWI and WWII was honorable. Service during Korea was acceptable. But for those of us who served afterwards - especially Viet Nam, society has made us out to be the bad guys. So who wants to march when you might get a rock in the face. Not me. It's not our fault. It's yours...

I am a Vet and I wish to wish all vets a Happy Veterans Day. You are all in my prayers each and every day....Ooh Rah!

I have seen a parade's already where there's only 1 car for the parade. If the people are there already then why not allow them to have it if only just to walk too the ceremony that was held anyway's no matter what war they were in.

Many from the Viet Nam era and earlier find it difficult to walk in the parade. My husband spent 2 tours in Viet Nam and suffers from PVD. But he sits on the sidelines and cheers those who can still march. Let them have their parade, they "worked" for it while Jane Fonda and others protested them.

If not a parade, how about a rally instead?

If there is just one veteran available the town should have made an effort to show that one how much they are appreciated.

Good Morning Veterans, Thank you for your service! We are off this morning to play a memorial service on Long Island with the American Legion Pipe Band Post 1015. Our band has played at this event since 1952. To stop playing now after 60 years would be a great disservice to all those who came before us, and those who we represent. Remember "All gave some, and some gave All!" for us to enjoy the freedom we continue to enjoy today.
Paul; To you Gunny and The Corp. Happy belated birthday, Marine!

I will never forget what Jane fonda did to our soldiers in viet nam but todays people do not know what she did and don't care and now they are treating her like a hero. Makes me sick when I see her on tv and bringing her career back while our soldiers still suffer from what she did. God Bless the soldiers .

If the local VFW had thanked previous parade participants for their appearances perhaps they would have been looking forward to future parades. Did anybody think to send reminders or invitations to previous participants and other likely organizations a month or two before this Veterans Day? Laziness and or lack of interest on somebodies part in that VFW Post caused this mishap.

Paul Burroughs - The acronym after your name (within the posting) wouldn't stand for misogynist, would it (sarcasm intentional)? Gung-ho hawkish attitudes are what's wrong with this country - all too ready to push our nation into war, and our children and grandchildren into graves - or years of living with survived unbelieveable injuries. There are better activities for our offspring!

Just got home from the Veterans Day Parade in Amityville NY. The Commander of the Amityville VFW Post organizes the event. Hes a youthful 70+ Veteran. Participation at the event was sparse. The largest marching unit other than the actual post members, our pipe band and the Amityville HS Band was the Ladies Aux, made up of all black American women who I am always pleased to see. There is no color of skin in war. What is happening today is lack of support for all line organizations. The dynamics of today's under 50 crowd is they are too darn busy to offer help. Joining organizations are not on the top of their to do list. Go to any hospital, Sal. Army, or Red Cross event and check out the age of most of the volunteers. We need new faces to reflect OUR changing America. Believe me, any and all help will be gladly appreciated.
I have to add as we played our America Service Set, the tunes of all the branches of the service, we paraded past a fully uniformed WWII Vet who saluted us while standing on a corner by himself. His was a short man whose face was well warn. You could see in his eyes and the crisp creases in his uniform that he remains a PROUD AMERICAN VETERAN! That made it all worth while for me! Now stop complaining and organize a Dec. 7th Event to honor out veterans. I know I'll be at the National Cemetary at Pinelawn LI playing in our band. Thank you. God Bless America!

Yep, we'll have the MLK Day parade and the Gay Pride parade - neither of which would be possible without our veterans.