Dad’s last Parade.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month ended World War One. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 2016 was Dad’s last parade. Ross was a World War Two Vet. He served with the 8th Army in Italy. Which made perfect sense because his first language was Italian. My grandfather came from Italy and served in WWI.

World War 1 is how I got my name.

Bruno Catanzariti joined the US Army to become an American citizen. Back then, Italians were migrant workers. Much like today’s Latinos. To Bruno, America represented freedom and a new beginning. My grandfather ignored hatred and joined the Army. One problem!! He writes big! So big he ran out of space on the application form. So now my name is Catanza and not Catanzariti

Why is this Parade important?

Ross saw the aftermath of Nazi War crimes

For my father, Veterans Day is very important. He saw the ugliness of war. Dad fought the Nazis in Northern Italy. And Ross cried when he heard Presidents Trump’s remarks about Nazis. (Charlottesville) Dad said, “How can he say there are fine people on both sides? When you know one side embraces Nazis! Dad said, “I witnessed the war crimes committed by these fine people.” It was one of the few times I saw my father cry.

He saw Fascism firsthand. 

Ross was an Infantry Scout. And translator. Basically, Dad’s job was to hop in a jeep and drive around looking for the Germans. He talked to Italians. They, in turn, told Ross about war crimes committed by the Nazis. The Italians showed Ross the horrors of “these fine people”. 

The war crimes committed by the Nazs haunted him.

There weren’t many World War Two veterans (2016) at the parade. The years were catching up to the greatest generation. Dad loved the parade, and he wanted to honor all vets. It wasn’t an easy day for him. Ross grabbed his oxygen tank and cane. I parked as close as possible, To shorten his walk. But it was a hard walk. Afterward day said……..

Nothing worth doing is easy. And maybe that’s the true meaning of Veterans Day