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Though some see a ‘different generation,’ veterans appreciate community respect

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Claysburg American Legion Post 522 commander Ira Roudabush replaces flags on the graves of veterans buried in the St. Mark's Reformed Church Cemetery on Thursday.

As Americans prepare to celebrate Memorial Day, officials hope local parades and ceremonies honoring those who died while serving in the country’s armed forces will be well attended.

Memorial Day — which originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868 — has changed over the years.

“Back in the day, the stores weren’t open. It was a holiday. We respected the people who died for our freedom,” said Coast Guard veteran Steve Auker, who will be the keynote speaker at the Lakemont Lions Club Memorial Day program.

One thing that has changed in recent years is that the feeling for veterans has improved.

“It is politically correct to be pro-veteran again,” said Tim Susengill, vice president of Vietnam Veterans of America, Blair County Chapter 967.

Susengill said the country rallied around the veterans of World War II, but after the Vietnam War, there was an anti-veteran tone.

“People were despised for being in the military and were called things like baby killers. After the Gulf War, there was a swing back to pro-vet,” Susengill said.

Army Vietnam veteran Ira Roudabush, commander of Claysburg American Legion Post 522, and Navy veteran Tim Balconi, president of the UPMC Altoona Foundation, remembers the anti-Vietnam sentiment.

“When I came home (1972), there were times I wondered why I did come home. We got spit at, stones thrown at us when we got off the planes. Now, when I walk through a restaurant or a store, if I am wearing my Vietnam veteran hat, I get support,” Roudabush said.

“When I went into the Navy in July 1980, people were hostile, and we were taunted. Vietnam was still fresh in people’s minds. By the time I got out, things had changed so much, and everyone would buy you a drink. People moved past the Vietnam era. It is now a great thing to serve,” said Balconi, who will be guest speaker at Hollidaysburg’s Memorial Day service.

The founding principle of the Vietnam Veterans of America, which was founded in 1978, was, “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”

Participation ‘super’

Locally, attendance has been up over the last couple of years for the Blair County War Veterans Council parade in Altoona.

“Over the last three or four years, attendance has been greatly up. Participation from the community has been super. The last two years were very good. We also have far more people coming to our ceremony at the Laws Memorial,” said Ken Hollen, president of Central Pennsylvania National Veterans Association.

“I think there are more people participating and attending the parade since I took it over three years ago. We opened it up to the small kids (baton twirling groups), and that seems to have helped. We had about 9,000 turn out for our Veterans Day parade. Last year we probably had 7,000 to 8,000 for Memorial Day,” said Marines veteran Lloyd Peck, commander of the Blair County War Veterans Council.

Although attendance is increasing, Victor Raia, 96, adjutant of A&J Iaia American Legion Post 827 and past state commander of the American Legion, remembers when city sidewalks were crowded.

“I can remember years ago when we had people six or seven back on the sidewalk to watch the parade. That’s a lot of people,” Raia said.

Hollidaysburg’s Memorial Day parade and program have drawn good crowds in recent years.

“We get a pretty good crowd here. We always have a parade and a guest speaker. It is always someone who has been in the service. Our speakers have ranged from master sergeants to three-star generals. People have a lot of respect for Memorial Day. There have been years where we have had less people, but the last couple of years there has been an increase,” said Navy Vietnam War veteran Joe Patterson, adjutant of Hollidaysburg American Legion Post 516.

“I’m originally from Rochester, N.Y. Up there the turnouts got smaller. Here, events are very well attended. In Hollidaysburg, they line the length of Allegheny Street. The music is a big part of it. It is very well attended,” Balconi said.

‘Different generation’

Opinions differ on turnout and participation throughout the area.

“Our events aren’t as well attended as they were 20 or 30 years ago. People don’t turn out for the programs like they should. People should take the time to honor those who did so much for us. The military is not respected as much as it was in the older days. It is just a different generation,” said Ray Lenz, 85, past commander of Gallitzin American Legion Post 522 and past state commander.

Army veteran Larry Edwards, past president of the Lakemont Lions Club and current Lions Club district governor, said attendance has been down at his club’s events.

“It is difficult to get people out. We’ve done this service for 25 years, and we can’t get the neighborhood people out. Nationally and in the Altoona area, there seems to be an improved awareness of veterans needs, but it is hard to get the people to come out,” Edwards said.

Doug Stephens, director of the Hollidaysburg Community Band, has also seen declining numbers.

“There has been a steady decline in attendance and turnout over the last couple of decades. This is speculation, I guess for the younger generation, (but) it is not as important to them as it was 10-20 years ago. The sense of patriotism hasn’t been there. I teach at the college level now (Penn State Altoona) and don’t see a sense of interest,” Stephens said.

Bob Nein, adjutant for Tyrone American Legion Post 281, said it is getting difficult to find enough participants for the town’s annual Memorial Day parade.

No matter how many people attend or participate, the purpose of Memorial Day remains the same.

“We need to give more respect to those who are already in the ground,” Auker said. “The bottom line is Memorial Day is to honor those who died and defended our freedom. I try to make it a point to thank God every day for my freedoms.”

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.

“That is how they felt about their treatment,” Susengill said.

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