Dedicated Kid Won’t Let Cancelled Parade Stop Him From Honoring WW2 Vet

All hail the one man band.

This year’s Memorial Day parade in North Bellmore, New York was cancelled because of bad weather. Fifth-grade student Nicholas DeGregorio was so excited about marching in the parade with his school’s band that he decided to show up anyway. And that turned out to be a big deal for one World War II veteran who showed up to take part in the festivities, not knowing the event had been shut down.

"Nicholas felt so bad for all of the veterans that would not have a parade in honor of all their fallen comrades," Mary Bellissimo-DeGregorio wrote in a message to Patch about her 11-year-old son. The pair were just having a good time, with Nick playing his trumpet from inside his Mom’s car while they drove down the street.

That’s when they ran into the daughter of veteran Chris Iannacone, a vet who was on his way to the parade. The young student said he’d be “thrilled” to play “Grand Old Flag” for the disabled veteran, who waved his arms like a conductor during the performance. It just goes to show that you only need two people for it to be a party. Or, in this case, one determined, patriotic and talented 11-year-old and a hero for him to honor.