This year followed the same script as last year, as a number of veterans lined up in their cars outside Fredonia’s Elementary school, then proceeded to drive around the middle and high school, before driving down Route 20 and ending the parade at the Wheelock School. Fredonia teacher Kristin Tomaszewski began this tradition 12 years ago.

“My father was a Vietnam veteran and he just instilled in me a love of country,” Tomaszewski said. “So together, about 12 years ago, we started honoring veterans and every year it’s gotten a little bigger, and we change it up to keep it fresh.”

The parade occurs every year, the day before Veterans Day, as school is not in session on the day itself. Tomaszewski said it originally just started in her classroom, through word of mouth, as the veterans who participated in the past shared it with their fellow servicemen and women.

“We’ve been able to reach more veterans in our community through word of mouth and through veterans coming and enjoying the program and sharing it,” Tomaszewski said. “It went from a really small intimate setting in my classroom, to a larger ceremony in the auditorium, to this. We have about three times the number of cars we had last year.”

OBSERVER Photos by Anthony Dolce World War II Veteran Dewey Winchell stands outside his car prior to Fredonia High School’s Veterans Day parade on Wednesday afternoon.

It’s a day the students at the district look forward to every year, and help out the best they can. Tomaszewski said all the students step up to make the veterans feel welcomed and appreciated.

“Every year the kids surprise us by making cards, posters, and gifts, and recognizing why we have tomorrow off,” Tomaszewski said. “It’s something that we just want to continue to teach.”

But the ceremony goes beyond just being special for the kids, it’s special for the veterans who participate as well. Dewey Winchell, who is one of two World War II veterans that participated in Fredonia’s Veterans Day Parade this year expressed immense amount of gratitude for not only participating, but being the lead car in the parade.

“It means the world to me,” Winchell said. “I don’t think I deserve it, but I’m here. It’s a great privilege that I am here and am able to participate in these festivities.

Winchell served on a ship north of Japan, serving as the head of the engine room during his World War II service. While Winchell participated in the parade last year, he was previously the last car in the parade, but now had the privilege of being in front. Seeing all the youth outside hoisting American flags and being dressed in red, white, and blue is a scene that made Winchell emotional, and let him further appreciate how glad he was to be there.

“I’m glad that I can be here,” Winchell said. “I have a motto that I go by that I live one day at a time and live it to its fullest. Forget about yesterday, don’t worry about tomorrow, live for today. It’s been my motto for years and it’s worked pretty well for me.”

“I have some great-grandkids who will be watching me here today,” Winchell said. “I feel wonderful to be able to participate today.”

Likewise, Tomaszewski said the reaction the district has received from the veterans has shared Winchell’s appreciation of recognition.

“The feedback from the participants has always been overwhelmingly grateful to be recognized and honored the way they should be,” Tomaszewski said. “And this year, especially, is so special because we have two World War II veterans” with John Senneff being the second.

Tomaszewski, however, cannot help but think of her dad, Douglas Coykendall, an Army pilot each year the program occurs. “He enjoyed participating each year until his passing in 2014,” she said. “He’d be so proud of how the program continues to grow.”