Denver parade salutes service, sacrifices of veterans

Logan Sullivan waved at the passing parade, holding his miniature American flag in front of him as he inched his way toward the servicemen and woman who walked by.

When his father, T. Sgt. Matthew Sullivan, called him back, the 4-year-old took a seat on his father's knee while his dad explained the different uniforms and pointed to the polished cars.

"Today is letting him understand they are people you need to remember and give praise for what they've done," Sullivan said. "This isn't just a barbecue weekend."

The Memorial Day Remembrance Parade made its way through downtown Denver on Saturday, before wrapping around Civic Center. Families and veterans were scattered along the sidewalks along Broadway, between 14th and 13th avenues.

"We must pause to give thanks to the men and women who have given their lives and continue to fight," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said before the parade began.

Sullivan, who has served 13 years in the U.S. Air Force and is currently stationed at Buckley Air Force Base, said more people should have been at the parade and ceremonies Saturday.

Before the parade, families of the men and women killed in action placed roses next to photos of their loved ones during the Wreath Remembrance Ceremony at the Colorado Veterans Monument in Lincoln Park.

The guest speaker, Col. Pat Blassie, commander of the Air Reserve Personnel Center at Buckley Air Force Base, spoke to the crowd about the importance of each story of every lost hero.

Blassie's brother, 1st Lt. Michael Blassie was killed in 1972 during the Vietnam War. Her family was told that her brother was killed in action and his body was never recovered.

"We tried to go on with our lives in so many ways," Blassie said.

Twenty-six years later, Blassie and her family learned that her brother's remains were interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Years after Michael Blassie's remains were returned to his family in St. Louis, his sister continues to tell his story.

"Each hero has a story," Pat Blassie said.

Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com

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