A South Philly Reflection on Veterans Day
Every November, Philadelphia pauses to honor the men and women who served our nation. For those of us who grew up in South Philly, Veterans Day in Philadelphia is far more than a date on the calendar—it’s a reminder of the faces we knew, the families we grew up with, and the sacrifices that echo through our neighborhoods even today.
I was born and raised in South Philly, surrounded by men who had worn the uniform in World War II, Korea, and later Vietnam. My father served in World War II, and my father-in-law landed at D-Day, one of the most dangerous and defining moments in history. Those experiences shaped not only their lives but the entire fabric of our community.
A South Philly Love Story — and the Army-Navy Game
My parents, both born and raised in South Philly, were married on Saturday, November 29th, the same day as the Army-Navy Game. They tied the knot at Yerkie’s, a Justice of the Peace office just outside Philadelphia—either in Yeadon or near 69th Street. My father used to joke, “I should have gone to the game that day!”—always said with a grin, never regret.
That joke became part of our family lore, a story told every fall when the game returned to Philadelphia. My mom and dad went on to share more than sixty years of marriage, raising a family in the same South Philly neighborhood where they had grown up. Their love story, like so many from that generation, reflected the strength, loyalty, and perseverance that defined postwar Philadelphia.
A Childhood Memory That Never Left
When I think of Veterans Day, one memory always comes rushing back. I was in grade school when our class was taken to a local funeral home. A young Marine from our neighborhood—just eighteen years old—had been killed in Vietnam. He was the brother of one of my classmates. It was the first time I had ever seen a coffin, and the first time I truly understood what it meant to give your life for your country.
That day changed how I saw the world. We were just kids, standing there in our school uniforms, realizing that war wasn’t something happening far away—it was right there, on our block.
The Draft Lottery and a Stroke of Fortune
Like every young man of that era, I received my induction slip for the draft. When we turned a certain age, we were required to report to the induction bureau for processing. That was on North Broad Street. I still remember the nervous energy in the waiting room — everyone wondering whether our number would be called. I went through the full process and carried my draft card in my wallet until I turned thirty-six years old.
I was fortunate. The draft ended before my number came up. But I’ll never forget sitting in front of the television, watching the draft lottery. Officials would have a large wire basket—like a bingo cage—filled with 365 balls, one for each day of the year. They’d spin the drum, pull out a ball, and call the date aloud.
If your birthday was drawn early—say January 17th—you knew what it meant. The first fifty numbers drawn almost guaranteed you were going to see action. I remember the tension in every South Philly household that night. Parents sat in silence, kids listened, and everyone prayed that their number wouldn’t be called. Everyone was in the living room watching the one TV set that we had. They were the old console TVs that had a rooftop antenna.
I kept that draft card tucked away for years as a quiet reminder of how close I came to a different path.
The War Stories and the Wounds No One Saw
The war stories weren’t something distant or abstract—they lived in the rowhomes and corner bars, at the kitchen tables and church pews. You could walk down any block near Snyder Avenue or Mifflin Street and find veterans sitting on stoops, quietly watching the world they had fought to protect.
But most of those World War II veterans never spoke about what they had seen. They came home, found jobs, started families, and carried their memories in silence. Their courage was quiet and steady—the kind you saw in their eyes, not their words.
The Vietnam veterans, though, faced a very different return. Instead of parades or cheers, many came home to protests and anger. It was heartbreaking. They had fought under the same flag, risked the same lives, but were met with rejection and resentment. These were young men who had done what their country asked of them—and yet, when they came home, they were often treated like outcasts.
Many of them battled what we now know as PTSD, long before anyone called it that. Others were suffering from Agent Orange exposure, years before the government acknowledged it as real. Some struggled with addiction. And almost all of them felt forgotten. South Philly saw it firsthand—these weren’t strangers; they were our neighbors, our friends, our family.
Honoring Modern-Era Veterans
While much of Philadelphia’s history is rooted in the stories of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, we also honor the men and women who have served in more recent conflicts—from Desert Storm and Iraq to Afghanistan and beyond. Over the past half-century, new generations of Americans have answered the same call to service, many of them the sons and daughters of earlier veterans. They’ve deployed to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and countless regions across the world, often serving multiple tours under extraordinary conditions. These veterans, too, carry the legacy of courage and resilience that defines our city and our nation. Their service continues the unbroken chain of sacrifice that stretches from the battlefields of Europe and the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts and mountains of today’s conflicts.
Philadelphia’s Living Memorials
Philadelphia has never forgotten its veterans. You can see their legacy all around the city.
- The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial near Spruce Street and Front Street lists the names of more than 600 local heroes who gave their lives.
- The Korean War Memorial at Penn’s Landing honors those who fought in a conflict often overlooked by history.
- The All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors at Logan Square reminds us that sacrifice knows no color or background.
Each year, the Veterans Day Parade moves through Center City, flags waving, bands playing, and generations walking side by side. And every November, the Army-Navy Game brings the entire country’s attention back to South Philadelphia, although this tradition of playing in Philadelphia only is now shared with other cities. The game was always played at JFK Stadium, which had the old wooden benches and your seats were just stamped numbers on the bench. Today the game is played at the Linc, Lincoln Financial Field. You’ll see cadets, midshipmen, veterans, and families—celebrating not just competition, but shared service and sacrifice. The Philadelphia Navy Base was alive and well back in the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s when I was a kid growing up. Now, as with everything, the Navy Base has changed. It now houses office buildings and companies.
For those of us who grew up nearby, the sound of the flyover jets above Broad Street still stirs something deep. It’s more than tradition—it’s memory. The same streets that once sent young men to war now host a city honoring them.
The Meaning of Veterans Day
Veterans Day isn’t about politics, and it’s not just another long weekend. It’s a day for reflection and gratitude. A day to remember that every freedom we enjoy—every ordinary moment of peace—was secured by people who were willing to give everything.
If you see a veteran this week, take a moment to thank them. Visit one of the city’s memorials, or donate to groups like the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Old City or the Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House in West Philly at St. Joe’s University. Even a handshake or a simple “thank you” can carry deep meaning.
A Legacy of Family and Service
My parents’ generation believed in service, sacrifice, and community. They built stable homes, raised families, and stayed in the same neighborhoods for decades. My mom and dad were married for more than sixty years, raising us in the same South Philly streets where they grew up. That sense of loyalty—to family, to country, and to community—is something we should never loseWhen I walk through South Philly today—past Girard Park, Marconi Plaza, or the familiar rowhomes of West Passyunk—I still see the echoes of those generations. They were ordinary people who did extraordinary things. They fought wars, built families, and shaped this city’s heart.
That same spirit of service lives on in my son, Thomas G. Oakes II, Esquire, who continues the Oakes family tradition in his own way—by standing up for people who’ve been hurt or wronged. Through his work at The Oakes Firm, he represents individuals and families across Philadelphia who’ve been injured, whether in a car accident, a slip and fall, a faulty product, a construction accident, medical malpractice and all other circumstances, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
If you or someone you know has been injured and needs help, you can Get Connected directly with The Oakes Firm to learn more. It’s a continuation of the same values my parents instilled in all of us: compassion, integrity, and service to others.
Closing Thoughts: Remember, Reflect, and Respect
Veterans Day in Philadelphia isn’t just a civic holiday—it’s part of our city’s DNA. A city built by workers, immigrants, and soldiers. A city that understands toughness and tenderness can coexist.
As Veterans Day approaches—and the Army-Navy Game once again fills South Philly with energy—take a moment to look around. The freedoms we enjoy were never free. They were earned by people who once lived on our blocks, who sent their sons and daughters to war, and who kept their faith in the American promise.
So from all of us at PhillyLegalConnect, we honor every veteran—those who came home and those who did not. We honor their families, their sacrifices, and their stories.
And to my parents—who began their life together on the day of the Army-Navy Game—thank you for showing that love, loyalty, and courage come in many forms.
This Veterans Day, may we remember them all.
Learn more about Philadelphia’s Veterans Day Parade on VisitPhilly.com.
Disclaimer
PhillyLegalConnect is an independent resource for legal information and community connections in the Philadelphia area. This post may include links to The Oakes Firm for readers seeking legal assistance. PhillyLegalConnect does not provide legal representation and is not a law firm. Any reference to legal services is for informational purposes only, and contacting The Oakes Firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.