Every once in a while, people have a question for Civil Air Patrol Lt. Col. Albert El: “Did you fight in the Civil War?”
Of course, the 82-year-old Philadelphia native did not, and he is happy to set the record straight. He merely reenacts crucial Civil War battle scenes — among numerous other military-related volunteer roles.
“Learning a little bit of history can straighten up a lot of things, because people don’t know it,” said El, who joined the Civil Air Patrol as a young teen in 1955 and then served in the Air Force, Army, and Army National Guard. “All you have to do is keep up and read a little bit.”
El himself will be a part of his beloved hometown’s history on November 10, when he serves as the grand marshal of the 10th annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade & Festival. The octogenarian was surprised when he found out.
“It never crossed my mind, being a marshal,” said El, who served as part of the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper from 1959 to 1964. “It was a nice move.”
Given how many veteran-related activities El has been involved with over the last several decades, it was also a logical one. For 25 years, he has volunteered as a gallery curator for the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Museum. He also serves as a mentor at the Philadelphia Veterans Court (“I’m the oldest one there,” El said) and as a Post Chaplain for the Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post 405.
El is also active in the local VFW, General Meade Society, Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum, Sons of Union Veterans, National Order of Trench Rats, Lions Club of South Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Chapter of the Battle of the Bulge and Battle of the Bulge Association.
“The Grand Marshal of the Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival is a high honor recognizing a veteran who has bravely answered the call to service and continues to inspire others while contributing to their community and, most importantly, helping other veterans,” said Anthony Murphy, president of the Philadelphia Veterans Parade, in a press release. “Since he was 13 years old, Albert has and continues to tirelessly inspire everyone around him, which makes him a fitting choice as Grand Marshal of the parade and festival.”
El, who will get to ride in a convertible at the parade’s start, credits his military training and experience for his ability to stay so active in the community.
“Here I go with my Airborne stuff!” he laughed. “I just try to eat right and don’t let things worry me to death. That’s the cure right there, to be good to people.”
One of the ways El is good to people is making fellow veterans laugh. When he visits Philadelphia’s VA hospital, he often strolls up to patients wearing a military hat and strikes up a conversation.
“The first thing I say is, “Brother, what you doing in this wheelchair and having this woman pushing you around?’” El said. “He’ll fall out laughing. I don’t go around the hospital with no sad look, like the world is coming to an end tomorrow. The end will come only when you don’t wake up in the morning.”
Which ideally won’t happen anytime soon, because El has plenty more jokes to crack. And as much as El likes to dole out humorous advice, his fellow veterans like to dish it right back.
“Since I found out about being marshal, they say, ‘You sure you know how to wave to the masses?’” he said. “Everybody showing me how to wave. And I say, ‘Am I waving right?’”
Visit Philadelphia Veterans Parade & Festival for information on the parade route and hours.