Belleville's Veterans Day Parade is Sunday

Belleville’s William Steimel believes in tradition.

The organizer of Belleville’s annual Veteran’s Day parade said that he runs the parade, a draw attracting participants from throughout the area, because he believes its important for the community.

“I take it personally,” Steimel said of the parade. “I think the people should be out there to honor us for what we did. If you stop doing it they might forget.”

Hundreds of participants are expected to march in Sunday’s parade, including four bands, local officials and elementary school students.

Steimel, a member of the Belleville-Nutley Disabled American Veterans, said he worked closely with DAV commander Joe Fornarotto in organizing the parade. When he spoke with Patch, participants were still being finalized, but he said active duty Lieutenant Colonels would march in the Parade as well as members of the Belleville veterans council and other local veteran organizations.

In addition to Belleville Mayor Raymond Kimble and members of the Council, Assemblyman Ralph Caputo and Senators M Teresa Ruiz and Ronald Rice, Steimel said.

The Parade starts at 1 p.m. on Monday on the Corner of Mill St and Union Ave.