19th Annual Florissant Veterans Day Parade Features F-4 Phantom Cockpit Among Local Participants

By Carmelo Turdo

The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation's mobile F-4 Phantom cockpit exhibit was featured in the 19th Annual Veterans Day Parade held in Florissant on Sunday. The parade, organized by the St. Louis County Veterans Coalition, had a record number of 71 participants this year and was held in cooperation with local businesses. The parade began at the Bangert Park parking lot, proceeded north on New Florissant Road, turned west on Rue Saint Francois past City Hall and then on to VFW Post 4105. Following the parade, a veterans recognition ceremony was held to honor 2022 Veteran of the Year among other local veterans. 

Here we show a sample of the parade, including the GYAF's cockpit being towed by Foundation Founder and President, Joe Steimann. Following the parade, the cockpit was on display across from the VFW post parking lot for public viewing along with a look-alike car owned by Terry Schenk.

Veterans from World War II to the War in Afghanistan were honored, along with other special recognition awardees, in a post-parade ceremony at VFW Post 4105. Here are some of the highlights:

A crowd gathers for the ceremony

97.1FM Host Marc Cox opens the ceremony

Florissant Mayor Timothy Lowery congratulates the awardees

World War II Veteran of the Year Raymond Geringer

Villa at Riverwoods Sales Director Bob Mogley accepts recognition
of the Korean War Veterans living at the center

Vietnam Veteran of the Year Wayne Kaufman

Desert Storm Veteran of the Year Marj Santhuff

Iraq War Veteran of the Year Travis Anderson

Afghanistan War Veteran of the Year Mike Colombini

Woman Veteran of the Year Krystl Jessop

Joe Kohnen, Jr. is recognized for his 70-Year
Continuous Membership of American Legion Post 444

2022 Florissant Veteran of the Year Ron Scanlon

The Aero Experience thanks the St. Louis Veterans Coalition, Parade Chairperson and 2020 Florissant Veteran of the Year retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Lucia Greer, and all who made this a very special day for our local veterans.