Veteran finally gets his parade

In the spring of 1943, Rocky Gannon was called to serve his country in World War II.
Just two days before the junior prom, he and five other boys left their families and high school behind.
“It was just something we did,” he says.
The recognition they desired was a parade through downtown Ocean City. Carrying the torch as the only Alumni Veteran left, Rocky Gannon will finally get his parade.
The six Ocean City High School Students remained in contact during their travels in the military, while on the home front and abroad. They would keep each other up to date on their location and status, and often talk of their beloved Ocean City and how they couldn’t wait to return home.
And upon their return, when they would all be reunited, they were certain they would have a parade, marching straight through the heart of downtown Ocean City.
As the war progressed, communications stayed strong and they each received the unfortunate word of when one of their hometown boys lost his life in battle.
At war’s end, three of the boys came home; three never returned.
Life continued, as life often does, and the World War II veterans received their due respect and appreciation, but never in the form of a parade or related fanfare. And as the year progressed, one by one, the boys were no longer around, and now there is only one left standing to carry the flag.
In the fall of 2009, the Ocean City High School Alumni Committee will host a weekend of events for OCHS Alumni, local residents and fans of Ocean City High School.
An event all are welcome to enjoy is a parade Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m. downtown in the heart of Ocean City. For the first Red Raider Parade, military veterans will be honored.
The Grand Marshall of the 2009 Red Raider Parade is Rocky Gannon, and in his left jacket pocket, close to his heart, will be the names of his fallen veteran classmates. Rocky and his classmates will finally get their parade.
For more information on the Ocean City High School Alumni Committee or Red & White Weekend, visit www.ochsalumni.com or call 609-703-4862.