4TH ANNUAL VETERANS PARADE
BY JEWELEAN MAGEE
“Honoring our African American Military Heroes and Sheroes” was the theme for this year’s 4th annual parade and mini stand down given by the African American Veterans Arts and Culture Corporation on August 30, 2025. The parade started at Jefferson Avenue and Riley Street and marched down to the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion for the mini stand down, located at 1100 Jefferson Avenue.
Members of the parade were this year’s male and female grand marshals, veterans from the Johnetta R. Cole Am vets Post 24. Many volunteers from the community marched in the parade. They carried banners from all twelve wars, starting with the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War. In addition, the parade included re-enactors portraying famous veterans, such as Mr. T and WW11 War veteran Dorie Miller.
This parade along with all other veteran parades was designed to educate the community and give “honor” to generations of men and women who made sacrifices and endured hardships down through the years so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
Once the parade ended at the Johnnie B. Wiley Sports pavilion, the stand down started with an opening prayer given by Rev. Wanda Strong Howard, pastor of “Prayer in the Park” and the national anthem was sung by Ms. Phobie Davis.
Mrs. Linda Freeman Gibson introduced Ms. Debbera Ransom, founder of the African American Veterans Arts and Culture Corporation after “Taps was performed by Andy Finley, post member of the Johnetta R. Cole Am vets Post 24 and thanked her for a “job well done” on putting everything together. Mrs. Freeman Gibson was an E-3 Administrative Assistant in the Engineering Company of the U.S. Army Reserves on North Forest Road in Amherst, NY. She was also the wife of the late Army 1Lt. Edward Gibson, who was an advisor of the Military Assistance Command during Vietnam. 1Lt. Gibson passed away on October 27, 2020.
Mrs. Freeman Gibson proudly introduced her son, Col. Malik James Edward Freeman 51, and a 30 yr Army veteran as this year’s male grand marshal. He spoke to the crowd by thanking family, friends, and fellow veterans and said “I grew up in the in the Willert Park projects where it was tough. Which helped me in growing up to be who I am today.”
During his time in the Army, Col. Freeman was awarded with the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal. He also has many degrees and a master’s degree in strate gic studies from the Army War College. Currently, Col. Freeman is serving as Director of Logistics Joint Staff, Joint Force Head quarters in Washington D.C.
Ms. Ransom introduced this year’s female grand marshal Ms. Angelina Franklin. She served active duty in the U.S. Army as a Specialist 4 with the 545 Ordinance Company from 1980-1983 and continued in the Army Reserves until 1985.
Ms. Franklin said that “We are proud of our ser vice and gone through tough adversity. Loyalty paved the way for many veterans, and I am proud to be a veteran standing strong with other veter ans.” During her time in the Army, Ms. Franklin received the Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Over seas Ribbon and the M16 Sharpshooter Badge.
Other veterans who spoke at the stand down were Niagara Falls County Legislator for the 4th District Jeffrey Elder, a 27-year active-duty Air Force veteran who served aboard Air Force 1 with 3 presidents. Pres. George H. W. Bush (father), Pres. Bill Clinton, and Pres. George W. Bush (son).
“It was an excellent opportunity. Who would have thought a young black man for Niagara Falls would travel around the world as a flight atten dant. My job was to pro vide comfort, safety, and reliability. When we learn things from places and people, we must bring them back and tell the young kids to strive for what you want. We are here to help and support you.” Said Mr. Elder.
Mr. Albert Baxter, Branch Manager of North west Bank located at 1228 Jefferson Avenue severed as a staff sergeant at Ft. Bragg North Carolina in the civil Military Operations Center, in connection with Civil Affairs. “I was glad to put this uniform back on, because it means unity and sacrifice for the community and country.”
A video was shown during the stand down entitled “We Earned Our Stripes.” It was a proud moment to all those who watched the video and saw the faces of many men and women in the military. We have endured so much for this country and yes, we earned our stripes! Vendors were also at the stand down with their tables of information and resources to let veterans know what services are available to them.
Finally, when the parade and the stand down came to an end, Rev. Frank Wil liams of Durham AME Church closed out the event with prayer for everyone.