Veteran Bob Gast To Be Honored In Shriner Parade At First Friday
WARSAW — World War II veteran Bob Gast, 95, Warsaw, will be honored in the Shriner Parade during First Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m.
Gast is a longtime Mason and Shriner. He was presented with several medals on Oct. 7, 2016, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. These awards were presented for actions that were documented but awards had not yet been presented.
In the fall of 1944, Gast, a second lieutenant, led his platoon into battle during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in Germany. On Nov. 12, 1944 he was shot in the arm, earning him the Silver Star. He returned to battle in 1945.
Gast has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, joining the Shrine Club around 1950.
The parade Friday is a Mizpah parade, which the local Shrine club has hosted for the last several years. Fort Wayne Mizpah Shrine potentate Hal Harting will also be honored in the parade. The parade will feature a calliope, the giant fez, the color guard, a Corvette club, horse patrol and antique tractors.
The parade will start at the Owen’s Supermarket on Columbia and Market Street, head down Market to Indiana Street, across to Center Street and back down to Owen’s.
June’s First Friday is also featuring motorcycles and motorcycle groups, including American Bikers Aimed Toward Education, Christian Motorcycle Association and the Patriot Riders.