Americans across the country are honoring past and present veterans who have fought and died or are currently fighting for our country.
This Veterans Day marks 90 years since the end of World War I in 1918.
In Las Vegas, thousands gathered downtown to mark the occasion with the largest Veterans Day parade in the nation. This year, the parade honored 50 soldiers from the Wounded Warrior Project.
The group raises money to help wounded vets get the things they need to live normal lives after war.
“I can remember when I came back in the 60’s, things were a lot different with view of the military. But nowadays, it’s more support. Thank God it has turned around because we can’t send them out to fight our wars and not support them,” said James Parsons.
At Tuesday’s parade, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman handed out proclamations naming the 52 wounded warriors marching in the parade hero’s on behalf of the city.
There were a lot of different faces in the audience — those who served, those who were injured and those who were there just to show their support. There were smiles and there were tears at this year’s parade as hundreds of veterans proudly walked down 4th Street Tuesday morning.
For many veterans, this much support is something they’re not used to, but are welcoming with open arms. They all have different stories, all come from different backgrounds, but no matter which group they were tied to at the veteran’s parade, their goal of protecting our country has always been the same.
Among the veterans was wounded warrior Staff Sergeant Wallace Fanene, an amputee who lost his arm and leg last September in Iraq, “I’m grateful everyday. I had friends that weren’t as lucky as I am and I realize how fortunate I am to be here today.”
For many of these vets, every thank you was taken to heart, especially for Purple Heart recipient Greg Von Rothkirch, “It was something we didn’t get 35 to 40 years ago, so I’m very happy that veterans are being treated better nowadays.”
For others, like Navy veteran William Minetti, it was a time to reflect on those who served and those who are still fighting, “I got shot in the leg, shot in the shoulder and these poor guys got to go over and do it again.”
Minetti say this outpouring of support is long overdue, but makes a big difference, “It hits the heart, makes you really feel warm that people really do care.”
For spectators like Elizabeth Solomon, it was a different kind of emotion. Though she has never served on the front lines, watching all of the veterans was a reminder of just how much these men and women gave, and still give.
“It makes you think twice about what is really, really important. That is the supreme sacrifice and I don’t know how many people would be willing to give up things like that, knowing that when they go into battle, that they may come home that way,” she said.
Almost every war era was represented, from had Pearl Harbor survivors, World War II and Vietnam veterans, as well as the Blue Star Mothers, whose children are right now serving overseas.
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