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Theme:
"Honoring Traditions"

"This parade has a 62-year-old tradition of honoring the flag and we will go back to our traditional parade route this year," Greg Otis, Parade Chariman. "We believe Honoring Traditions brings the Parade back to its traditional roots."

 Date/Time: June 9, 2012

Begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday,
expected to conclude by 4:30 p.m.

 
 
The Parade is returning to the traditional route

The 2012 Flag Day Parade will use the traditional staging area and route.  
For details and a map, see the Route page.
 

Parade Grand Marshal

In 1949 the Appleton Elks Club made the decision to honor the U.S. Flag with a community parade. The Elks, many of whom were WWII veterans, wanted each citizen to be proud to live in the United States of America and to appreciate their freedom. That same year, an Act of Congress signed by President Truman officially recognized June 14th as National Flag Day. The first Flag Day Parade in Appleton was held in 1950. Each year the City of Appleton Flag Day Parade’s Grand Marshal is the American Flag. "Old Glory" rides in the Parade's lead vehicle to kickoff the oldest Flag Day Parade in the nation.
 

Escorting the U.S. Flag

The flag is always escorted by a local or regional individual who has been an example of extreme patriotism. For 2012, the City of Appleton Parade Committee has chosen Henry A. Goddard aka "Bear" the Morning Host on one of the most successful radio stations in Wisconsin, WNCY100, serving Green Bay, Appleton, and Oshkosh.

"I am truly honored to be a part of The Appleton Flag Day Parade.  As a military veteran, I think it is important to show support for the American flag and our troops.  I have tried give back to the community to assist veterans' events and promote their efforts."
 
BIOGRAPHY
     My name is Henry A. Goddard — aka "Bear" — the Morning Host on one of the most successful radio stations in Wisconsin, WNCY100 Green Bay- Appleton-Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
     I was born in Duluth MN. and graduated from Concordia Academy in St. Paul. 
     I am honored to have served in the United States Air Force for four years as an F-4 jet mechanic in the 1970's.  I was stationed at RAF Alconbury, England and Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.  I started my radio career after leaving the Air Force. 
     My radio career has taken me and my family to cities in Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri. I am the father of three...one boy and two girls and I have been married to my wife Bridget for 32 years.
 

Honorary Parade Marshal
Rear Admiral Michael Parks

Rear Admiral Michael Parks is the operational commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District, which spans the five Great Lakes, Saint Lawrence Seaway and parts of surrounding states He leads 6,000 Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary men and women. He most recently served as the Deputy Director of Operations for Headquarters United States Northern Command, where he was the principal advisor to the U.S. NORTHCOM Commander on all operational matters. Rear Admiral Parks is a 1982 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Government. In 1994 Rear Admiral Parks attended George Washington University, where he earned a Master of Public Administration degree. In 2004 Rear Admiral Parks was selected and attended the National War College in Washington, D.C., where he received a Master of Science in National Security Strategy and Policy.  

Special Guest of the Coast Guard:
Betty Neff Walsh

BETTY'S STORY: Betty Neff Walsh was a student at Neenah High School when her connection to the USCG began in 1941. Her father, Gilbert Neff, a WWI infantry vet, decided to enlist, at age 50, in the USCG at the start of WWII. His rank was Chief Boatswain’s Mate and his assignment was to lead a group of privately owned Great Lakes boats through the St. Lawrence Seaway and down the Atlantic Coast to Wilmington, South Carolina. From their station along the Atlantic Coast, these boats patrolled the coastal waters looking for German (Nazis) U-Boats.
 
Betty enlisted into the USCG SPARS* in December, 1943. She served until she was honorably discharged in 1946. Her basic training was in Palm Beach, Florida. Then came Yeoman’s School, also at Palm Beach. Her rank was Yeoman 2nd Class and her assignments included being stationed at New Orleans, LA, Houston and Galveston, TX. Betty’s duties were always on shore because the men were sent out to sea duty.

Betty (seated) with husband Jack
and daughter Julie Waters.

Among her memories are assisting her Commanding Officer processing a sabotage case where she did most of the effort and he received the commendation for the capture. Another was being confined to quarters on VJ Day (Victory Over Japan Day) in August 1945. Her Commanding Officers were protecting the females from the male celebrants.
 
In 2000, Betty and Jack attended the commissioning of the United States Coast Guard Cutter SPAR (WLB 206) which was built in Marinette Wisconsin. She was given a cap with the ship’s name on it for her service.
 
Jack served in the US Army in France landing near Marseilles and advancing north to meet up with the D-Day Invasion moving east.

* SPARS was the nickname for the United States Coast Guard Women's Reserve, created 23 November 1942 with the signing of Public Law 773 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The name is a contraction of the Coast Guard motto: Semper Paratus and its English translation, Always Ready. The name also refers to a spar in nautical usage.

 
 
Featured Groups... Scheduled to Appear

 
The 484th Army Band of Milwaukee will be appearing in the 2012 Appleton Flag Day Parade (Saturday, June 9th). Following the Parade, the Band will perform a patriotic concert at the Appleton American Legion (3220 W. College Avenue) at 5PM.

Marine Corps Band New Orleans Ceremonial Band will be "on the march" in this year's parade.
The Ceremonial Band brings the sounds of the French Quarter to Appleton. It is the most traditional and versatile of the band’s ensembles and is the most frequently requested musical unit. Whether marching in hometown parades, military ceremonies, or patriotic openings for professional sporting events, the ceremonial band utilizes its assorted repertoire, which ranges from traditional marches to Dixieland jazz, in its effort to entertain hundreds of thousands of spectators yearly. Notable Ceremonial Band performances include annual participation in local Mardi Gras events, the pre-game ceremony for the 2007 and 2008 Armed Forces Bowl, the pre-game ceremony for the 2009 NFC Divisional Playoffs, and the 2012 Houston Rodeo.

Information on other bands, floats, troops, organizations and other participating units will be posted as confirmed. The Featured Groups page will contain a more complete listing as the parade program takes shape.
 

Friday Eve Before The Parade...

The USMC NO Brass Quintet will perform at the Appleton American Legion Post No. 38 on the evening of Friday, June 8th, 2012.

A Marine Corps Band New Orleans brass quintet will bring the sounds of the French Quarter to Appleton. Currently there are two brass quintets — one consists of two trumpets, one French horn, a trombone, and tuba and another of two trumpets, one French horn, a euphonium, and a tuba. These quintets tour the United States, playing at various military ceremonies, civic events, and high schools. With unmatched diversity, these ensembles perform patriotic, classical, Dixieland, and jazz literature. Noteworthy brass quintet performances include the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange, NBC’s “Today” show, appearances on CNN and the Fox News Channel, and the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.

 
Saturday Before The Parade Begins...

Free U.S. flags will be handed out along the parade route about one hour before the parade begins. This project is a cooperative effort of the following organizations.
 

   

 
Appleton’s American Legion Post
No. 38 to Host Annual Post Parade Party

This annual Post Flag Day Parade Party will include a performance by the 484th Army Band of Milwaukee. The event is open to the public and will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at Don Hawkins Baseball Field on the grounds of the Appleton American Legion at 3220 W. College Avenue. Free admission!  Food and refreshments will be available at a minimal cost.

The American Legion is dedicated to supporting and advocating the best interests of veterans, promoting Americanism, goodwill, and camaraderie between its members and the community.

 
TV Coverage...

WFRV TV 5 will videotape the 2012 parade, and will re-broadcast on dates and times to be determined. WJMN TV 3, in Escanaba, MI, will also re-broadcast the parade, allowing viewers in all of Northeastern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan to see it.
 

 
 
 

Photo credits...

Photos of the Appleton Flag Day Parade are courtesy of Bill Siebers, Jeff Lindsey, and AmericaTheBeautiful.com.
 
 

© 2012 Flag Day Parade Committee