Patricios are back (3 of 3)

Erin Go Bragh (Ireland Forever) 

The Republic of Ireland (Eire) uses the tri-color flag of the Easter Rebellion of 1916. This green flag is of the 1798 Rebellion. This was carried by the Polish unit in the parade. Many of the spectators would not recognise it. The harp, and the shamrocks have long been recognised as symbols of Ireland, and so has the color green.

Three women were dressed in fine traditional Polish peasant clothes. Here one is interrupted in the march. A local cable channel interviewed one woman during the end of the parade, and a foto appeared online by the diminished Cleveland daily paper.

I dunno what was asked in the interview, my guess is why are the Poles marching? Well, St. Patrick is a saint of the Church Universal. A Chinese unit marches in the parade. In the past, Ukrainians and Lithuanians have marched. The Polish Catholics have marched since 2011, when Lennon (the then bishop) was closing parishes. The Poles, and other nationality groups are part of the Cleveland Catholic Community.

Viet Nam veteran with a US peace flag escorted out of parade

Lou Pumphrey is a Viet Nam veteran. He has been in many local parades with his uniform (i think he has come in a dress uniform), and flag. He believes in the 1st Amendment. At one time he was the editor at Universe Bulletin. He was interested in the clergy abuse allegations. The bishop (then Pilla) was the publisher. He was then no longer an employee. The next Cleveland bishop, Lennon, came from Boston and was heavily involved in the cover up of the abuse there. Lennon was filmed on an episode of Frontline trying to humiliate an adult survivor. The film Spotlight won a Best Picture Oscar, and was about the Boston Globe bringing it attention. Lou completed the parade marching with Cleveland Polonia, which was in a marching position soon after the point of his original departure.

There were fewer units this year, but more high school bands. The last place in the line up, at the tail end of the four divisions was Canton McKinley High.

The lingering effects of the Boston Bombers, and other terrorists is to heavily block any entrance points along the parade route.

The Krazy Kops are regulars, but this year they were a late addition to the line up. They enjoy entertaining crowd. Here they merge into the Maple Heights High School Band.

Spectators were waiting for the next unit to march by.

Many people wear green while in the viewing crowd, and are participating in the parade.