Post 344 wins second place for parade float honoring disabled vets

Indianola, NE

Indianola, Neb., Post 344 won second place for a patriotic float for disabled veterans in the Old Settlers Parade, which is more than a century old.

Mitty Quigley, a long-time member of the Auxiliary, came up with the idea for the float after her husband hurt his foot. Her husband, Stanley, is a World War II veteran, and a Legion lifer.

"I guess that’s the reason I liked to have the float - because my husband couldn't walk ... I thought, 'Well, let's get a float and get him in the parade.'

"A few of the members are getting older and some have difficulty walking," she said. "I talked with several others who had health problems, and I just thought it would be nice - that they could participate in the parade, too."

So, she borrowed a trailer from a friend, and the Auxiliary (plus a few Legion members) decorated it patriotically, mostly with bunting. On the day of the parade, 12 Legionnaires and three Auxiliary members - including Mitty - rode on the float, each waving a small American flag.

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