Dan
02-20-2007, 17:05
http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/1171953294223560.xml&coll=1
Special forces riding in Argus
Public reaction to past rides 'tremendous'
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
By Mary Sparacello
Recently returned from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines, Major Mike Hummel described a Fat Tuesday ride on a Krewe of Argus float as an opportunity to raise awareness of the military.
"There's a lot of good stuff we're doing over there," Hummel said. "It's good to see the support of the community."
This is the sixth year that special operations troops, recently returned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will ride in the Argus parade along with members of the local chapter of the Special Forces Association.
"When the crowd sees these guys up there, the decibel goes up," said Bob Moreau, a member of the Special Forces Association. "The public reaction to these guys has been tremendous."
Nine uniformed honorees will ride this year. Five are Green Berets, two are from the U.S. Navy and two are Louisiana National Guard noncommissioned officers, Moreau said. Seven of them were in Lafreniere Park on Monday to load the float.
Chief Warrant Officer Terry Baltimore, who served in the Gulf War, is stationed at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk now and said he's ready to represent the armed forces on Mardi Gras.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jordan Budenski, originally from Minnesota, and Petty Officer 2nd Class David Taporco, from Virginia, are both in Navy Special Boat Team 22 and recently returned from Iraq.
"It's pretty neat to see everybody come down," Budenski said, referring to the other military honorees.
The recent combat veterans will join about 10 others, members of the local Special Forces Association and their relatives on the float, said Moreau, who served as a Green Beret in the Louisiana National Guard.
The riders are on a float donated three years ago by the Pat Taylor Foundation, which honors the military. This year, the float's special throws include a silver doubloon and red beads with the local Special Forces Association chapter's logo attached.
The local chapter got involved with sponsoring active-duty combat veterans in Argus after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In 2002, the chapter invited seven members of the special forces from Fort Campbell, Ky., who at served in Afghanistan.
"We intend to do it every year as long as we can get the support we need," Moreau said.
The Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force include special operations troops who handle some of the most dangerous missions.
The chapter raises about $795 for each honoree for parade fees and throws, Moreau said. They are put in the front of the float so the Mardi Gras crowds see them first, maximizing spectator reaction, Moreau said. He said it's been a good experience for the honorees.
"They are just overwhelmed," he said. "The crowd's always raucous."
. . . . . . .
Mary Sparacello can be reached at msparacello@timespicayune.com or (504) 467-1726.
Special forces riding in Argus
Public reaction to past rides 'tremendous'
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
By Mary Sparacello
Recently returned from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines, Major Mike Hummel described a Fat Tuesday ride on a Krewe of Argus float as an opportunity to raise awareness of the military.
"There's a lot of good stuff we're doing over there," Hummel said. "It's good to see the support of the community."
This is the sixth year that special operations troops, recently returned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will ride in the Argus parade along with members of the local chapter of the Special Forces Association.
"When the crowd sees these guys up there, the decibel goes up," said Bob Moreau, a member of the Special Forces Association. "The public reaction to these guys has been tremendous."
Nine uniformed honorees will ride this year. Five are Green Berets, two are from the U.S. Navy and two are Louisiana National Guard noncommissioned officers, Moreau said. Seven of them were in Lafreniere Park on Monday to load the float.
Chief Warrant Officer Terry Baltimore, who served in the Gulf War, is stationed at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk now and said he's ready to represent the armed forces on Mardi Gras.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jordan Budenski, originally from Minnesota, and Petty Officer 2nd Class David Taporco, from Virginia, are both in Navy Special Boat Team 22 and recently returned from Iraq.
"It's pretty neat to see everybody come down," Budenski said, referring to the other military honorees.
The recent combat veterans will join about 10 others, members of the local Special Forces Association and their relatives on the float, said Moreau, who served as a Green Beret in the Louisiana National Guard.
The riders are on a float donated three years ago by the Pat Taylor Foundation, which honors the military. This year, the float's special throws include a silver doubloon and red beads with the local Special Forces Association chapter's logo attached.
The local chapter got involved with sponsoring active-duty combat veterans in Argus after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In 2002, the chapter invited seven members of the special forces from Fort Campbell, Ky., who at served in Afghanistan.
"We intend to do it every year as long as we can get the support we need," Moreau said.
The Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force include special operations troops who handle some of the most dangerous missions.
The chapter raises about $795 for each honoree for parade fees and throws, Moreau said. They are put in the front of the float so the Mardi Gras crowds see them first, maximizing spectator reaction, Moreau said. He said it's been a good experience for the honorees.
"They are just overwhelmed," he said. "The crowd's always raucous."
. . . . . . .
Mary Sparacello can be reached at msparacello@timespicayune.com or (504) 467-1726.