LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — There are more than 25 million military veterans in the United States, and on Veterans Day we honored each and every one.
Many parades took place across the country to say thanks to the men and women serving our country. One of the largest and oldest parades in the nation took place in Leavenworth.
Leavenworth County held its 95th annual Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday. It’s the country’s oldest Veteran’s Day observance and the largest west of the Mississippi.
“We wanted to support them,” said Melinda Campbell, one of hundreds of people who endured the cold in downtown Leavenworth to attend the parade, which was established in 1919.
“My entire family is in the military, like everybody, and they’ve been in a couple of the wars and my sister and brother-in-law are in Syria fighting right now, so I think it’s important,” said Campbell.
Almost 200 organizations participated in the parade, celebrating this year’s theme: ‘Honor, remember, and never forget those who protect us.’
“Freedom is not free,” said Lt. Col. Karen Hanson, the Battalion Commander for Special Troops Battalion of the Combined Armed Center of Fort Leavenworth.
She says it’s an honor and privilege to attend.
“The Veterans as well as many other people in the United States sacrifice every day, they sacrifice their families sometimes going out on deployment, they sacrifice their time, they sacrifice perhaps some more lucrative job that they could have had,” Hanson said.
Parade participants included Fort Leavenworth military personnel, area veterans, local and state politicians, and area school bands among many other groups.
“It makes me proud that we have so many people who want to come out and do this,” said Larry Burns, a Vietnam Veteran.
Burns says it is important veterans get the recognition they deserve, because this country would be a different place without them.
“We wouldn’t be free, we wouldn’t have a country like we do,” Burns said.
“People were yelling at us ‘Thank you for your Service,’ as we marched by,” said Hanson.
The parade paused at 11 a.m. for the playing of Taps.
“It’s such an honor to serve, and it’s an honor to be a part of those people who love us just for serving, it’s fantastic,” said Hanson.
“Just to give them a memorial and they do a lot for us,” Campbell said, “We wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for them.”
Cash prizes were awarded to the three best floats in Tuesday’s parade.
