By Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CHEVIOT - Calling all high school and college marching bands: Your presence is requested.

On Sunday afternoon, veterans, current members of the armed forces and Cheviot community supporters will march in the annual Hamilton County Veterans Day Parade here.

But the only music will come from an American Legion band.

Parade chairman Bill Gettler said he invited about a dozen high school bands, mostly from the West Side, to participate. All declined.

LOOKING FOR BANDS

Hamilton County Veterans Day Parade chairman Bill Gettler says he needs high school or college bands to march in Sunday's parade. There is still space for three to four bands. If your band wants to support veterans, call Gettler at 513-738-3844.

"Some of these old guys, these older veterans, they don't understand why the bands aren't coming out," Gettler said. "Honestly, I don't have an answer."

The parade committee will pay bands' transportation costs for coming to the parade, Gettler said.

Gettler hopes a band will call at the last minute and ask to march, and he said there are three or four spots reserved for them.

But he's not banking on it. Gettler said interest in and support for veterans has waned among younger people.

"The average age on the (parade) sidelines is 40 years and older," Gettler said. "They know what people marching in the parade gave up in life."

This year's parade, starts at 2 p.m. at Bridgetown Road and Harrison Avenue, travels east on Harrison before turning left on North Bend Road.

When the parade reaches North Bend Road - around 2:30 p.m. - the Cincinnati Warbirds, restored vintage World War II propeller planes and jets, will do a flyover.

E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com