BUFFALO, N.Y. — VA Western New York Healthcare System held its first Pride parade Monday.
A group usually walks in the Buffalo Pride Parade, but it was canceled this year, so the VA decided to hold its own.
Organizers hope this will become an annual event.
“Some of those people lost their lives to this movement, you know, and didn’t see the success and the freedoms that we see today," said Joyelle Hackett, EEO manager, VA WNY Healthcare System. "So we’re going to continue because if we’re not all free, none of us are free.”
“It’s just important to recognize and to know that there are veterans, there are in the military actively right now, there are people who are not serving or have served, but who also have those same struggles and those same challenges,” said Ronald Piaseczny, EEO program manager - Buffalo VA regional office. “And today lends visibility to that community.”
A flag presentation was held after the walk.