The parade will begin at the Duchesne Elementary School and precede North on Florissant Road and then turn left on St. Francois, ending at the VFW hall where we will have a festival atmosphere with food, music and the award for our2023Veteran of the Year.
The Emcee for the event this year is Navy Veteran Brian Neives from 93.3 Talk Radio. The Grand Marshall is last year’s Veteran of the Year Ron Scanlon. The St Louis County Veterans Coalition has worked hard and are excited to have new participants in our parade & festival this year. Guest speaker is retired Air Force Colonel Buff Burkle who survived a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. There will also be a VFW Veteran Service Officer to assist with any service-related claims.
At the conclusion of the Parade, we will honor the 2023 Florissant Veteran of the Year Ron Finck who we are honoring Posthumously. Ron was career Navy serving the United States for 27 years and retired as Senior Chief Petty Officer serving at one point at Camp David on a Presidential detail. President Bush wanted to play horseshoes and the only partner volunteering to “throw” with the President was Ron. He loved his military service as well as VFW Post 4105 where he has volunteered and been a distinguished ambassador for 28 years.
Scanlon served in Okinawa, Spain, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Africa, Israel, Vladivostok and Italy. While in Italy Ron had his rosary blessed by the Pope. During Desert Storm Ron served on the USS Princeton and previously served on the USS Eisenhower and the USS Glover.
Ron worked for St. Louis County C.A.R.E. and transferred into being a police aide for the St Louis County Police Department. Ron loved the Cardinals, college football and especially his Ohio State Buckeyes. Helping other veterans was a priority for him to get whatever they needed.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of 42 years; Donna Finck (nee Fisher); by his son Jeff (Dr. Katie Jackson) Finck and daughter Kimi Finck; loving grandfather of Veronica Finck and Charlie Finck. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Bob (Kari) Finck, Gloria Finck, Diane Boetcher, Debbie (Mike) “Goody” Goodfellow and Brian (Penny Maxwell) Finck. Cherished uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Mayor Lowery, the City Council and the Veterans Coalition invite everyone to bring their children/grandchildren to this event and salute the men and women who have and continue to serve our great country in rgw Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.