Spectacular Veterans' Parade Planned for Sunday

Florissant residents will have an opportunity to take in a “spectacular Veterans’ Parade,” followed by a presentation of the on Sunday, according to a press release from Mayor Thomas P. Schneider.

Schneider said that the parade will be “outstanding” and will have more than 70 units participating, including military vehicles, drum corps, marching bands, elected officials and many others who will pay tribute to the veterans.

The parade route runs for 2.5 miles, beginning at the corner of St. Charles and St. Francois. It will go east on St. Francois, then one block south on New Florissant to east on St. Catherine, then north on Waterford Drive before it ends at the James J. Eagan Center.

After the parade, the Veteran of the Year Award will be presented to Florissant resident John Cahalin, a United States Navy veteran who served during World War II. Cahalin was honorably discharged with the rank of Seaman First Class.

According to the Suburban Journal, Cahalin said he was surprised when he was chosen as Florissant’s 2011 Veteran of the Year.

"It's quite a nice honor, but I was shocked that I got it," Cahalin said in an interview with the Suburban Journal. "I'm not a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I didn't see combat. I didn't even know I was nominated."

Cahalin’s grandsons nominated him for the award. Although Cahalin said he “didn’t try to be a hero,” Walter Kaiser, treasurer for the association and the 2010 honoree, said that heroics aren’t part of the criteria for the honor.  Cahalin’s community involvement was also considered when he was selected for the award.

“John has done a lot for people,” Kaiser told the Suburban Journal.

According to the Florissant Focus, the city’s newsletter, the requirements for selection are that the nominee be an honorably discharged veteran, a Florissant resident and he or she should continue to be in service to the veterans in the community.

Cahalin, 85, and his wife have been married for 60 years and have four adult children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Norman Sirna, a member of the Veterans’ Commission, is credited with helping to bring the event to Florissant.

“Mayor Schneider and the City Council invite everyone to bring their children (and) grandchildren to this event and salute the men and women who have and continue to serve this great country in the fight against terrorism and to protect our freedom,” read the press release.

The parade will begin Sunday at 1 p.m.