Air Force Week takes off with Bridesburg parade

Published May 27, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Ben Gonzales

BRIDESBURG, Pa. -- Airmen paraded down the streets of Bridesburg adorned with red, white and blue flags and banners May 26 to kick off not only Air Force Week in Philadelphia but also the city's annual Memorial Day parade

Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command, led a contingent of Airmen and equipment in the parade that included a flyby of two KC-10 Extenders from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., as more than 10,000 spectators from throughout the region watched.

With the general leading the way in a Humvee, approximately 75 Airmen from the 305th Air Mobility Wing from McGuire AFB marched in the parade. The Air Force Heritage of America Band from Langley AFB, Va., security forces dog handlers and their K-9s, McGuire AFB emergency management members and vehicles, and the Air Force Raptor car and recruiters also joined the parade.

The parade has been a staple for this community for generations, according to local officials. John Krayger has been on hand to see the parade almost every year. At 85 years old, the former Army Air Force sergeant, who served from 1943 to 1945 with the 389th Bombardment Group during World War II, has come a long way since flying in 18 combat missions as a port-side gunner aboard B-24 Liberators over Europe.

"My whole family is here for the parade," Mr. Krayger said from his lawn chair along the parade route surrounded by three generations of Kraygers. "My two children, seven grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren always get together for this parade. It is great to see the (Airmen) marching."

Pauline Byron, another parade spectator, has been watching the annual parade since she was 4 years old. The 76-year-old grandmother, along with her daughter and two of her grandchildren, cheered parade participants as they marched by.

"This was the best parade we have ever had here," Ms. Byron said. "What an honor to have the Air Force in the parade. God bless them and thank you for our freedom!"

Following the Air Force units in the parade were Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, Bridesburg Mayor Michael Nutter, numerous local high school bands and countless Bridesburg units honoring veterans in the 2.3 mile-long parade.

At the conclusion of the parade, Airmen showed their mettle and gave the public a chance to witness the Air Force in action in demonstrations around the Bridesburg recreation center. There, Airmen showcased what puts them above all as the Air Force Honor Guard drill team executed a rifle demonstration in front of hundreds.

Also available for all to see up close and personal were explosive ordnance disposal equipment, firefighting equipment and trucks, security forces demonstrations and a Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard falcon.

"Seeing the planes and stuff is so cool," said 11-year-old Tyler Kradzinski of Port Richmond, Pa. After riding in go-carts in the parade, Tyler tried his hand at what firefighters go through.

"I moved (the weight), but it left a shock in my body" he said after swinging a sledgehammer at a weight on the Keiser sled under the watchful eye of Tech. Sgt. Jack Hartman of the 305th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department.

"Having all these demonstrations here really gives the kids something they can do and aspire to do in the future," said Bridget Schroth, a native of Bridesburg who brought her 9-year-old son, Brandon, to the parade and recreation center.

"This stuff is just like the video games," Brandon said. "I just held a rocket launcher. When I grow up, I want to join the military and go in all quiet and get the bad guys."

"The Air Force made the parade and the day today," said Ben Kumor, a former Sailor and Marine who served in the Korean War as a helicopter rescueman. He and his wife, Claire, were born and raised in Bridesburg and have attended the annual parade almost every year. Their grandson, Justin Kumor, currently is going through Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. "The Air Force went all out and this was our best parade ever."

The Air Force Week program is part of a proactive initiative to increase communication with the public. Air Force Week includes community visits and talks by Air Force officials, flight demonstration team performances and displays highlighting the Air Force men and women serving on the front lines. There also will be an Air Force Week Aug. 9 through 17 in Omaha, Neb., and from Nov. 14 through 21 in Los Angeles.

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