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Coleman Nee Named 2023 Parade Chief Marshal

by Rick Winterson

South Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s/ Evacuation Day Parade actually combines two celebrations: That includes St. Patrick’s Day, of course, and also colonial America’s first, historic victory in our War of Independence. The cannons emplaced on South Boston’s Dorchester Heights, after they were brought here from Fort Ticonderoga by Henry Knox, forced the British to evacuate Boston 247 years ago in 1776. Both observances occur on March 17; the 2023 Parade will step off Sunday, March 19, at 1 p.m.

Underlying the Parade’s name and these two celebrations is the devotion of South Boston to its military veterans. The Parade’s organizers are members of the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council (the SBAWVC), which is commanded by Susan McDonough, an Army veteran herself. And as a tribute to all veterans each year, the Parade is led by a veteran selected to be the “Parade Chief Marshal”.

Coleman Nee was nominated earlier this year; he will serve as the 2023 Parade Chief Marshal.

Coleman is a born-andraised South Bostonian with a healthy portion of Irish ancestry (County Galway), who resided here until he was 26. He and his wife, Karyn (Swaun) Nee from Miami, met while students at American University. They’ve been together for 28 years and have two grown children. Jack is 24, graduated from University of Maryland, and he now works in Finance in Dorchester. Kate is 22, a Senior at Penn State, and she’s majoring in Communications and Political Science. These days, Coleman and Karyn split their time between Lower Mills and Yarmouth on the Cape. Coleman harbors a great love of the outof-doors, which began when he was young and a member of the Ollie and the South Boston Boys Club. And many years later, he still hikes extensively.

What’s most important at this point is that Coleman is a dedicated veteran. He served eight (8) years in the U.S. Marine

Corps – both in the reserves and on active duty. He was deployed to the Gulf War in 1990 and took part in Operation Desert Storm in January of 1991. You might recall how rapidly the independent military units moved as they fought the Gulf War. Coleman delivered urgently requested combat supplies and materials to these fast-moving units – driving from Gulf War depots to the highly mobile front lines, and then returning to the depots at top speed for more pick-ups.

Since his active duty, Coleman served as the Secretary of Veterans Services for Massachusetts. He has also been very active with the Disabled American Veterans (the DAV) in their John F. Kennedy Silver Star Chapter 3. In addition, he is the 2nd Junior Vice Commander of the national DAV, which was originally chartered by Congress, is now 102 years old, and has a million members. Because of his love of the outdoors, Coleman has even guided physically disabled veterans on hikes. He is currently the CEO of Triangle, Inc., in Malden, who offer highly varied programs that empower people with disabilities. During his interview with us at South Boston Online, Coleman said, “It’s humbling to be selected as Parade Chief Marshal. I want to thank Susan (McDonough) and her veterans, who emphasize veterans’ services and make the Parade more than just a party thing. Our vets are true Unsung Heroes.” He then recalled how much he had enjoyed the Parade when he was young –“I only had to walk out my front door to watch the Parade. It was such an amazing event; it really made our community proud.”

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