Spirit of gratitude prevails at patriotic Veterans Day Parade

Written by Hollie Reina
November 11, 2016

WASHINGTON CITY – When Bruce Raftery – a Vietnam veteran participating in the Veterans Day Parade held in Washington City Friday – spotted a fellow veteran in the crowd of people, he left the parade route and headed straight toward the man sitting in a wheelchair, wearing a Vietnam veteran hat and waving a flag.

Raftery greeted the man as a brother and said, “Welcome home.”

Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Southern Utah, Chapter 961 participate in the Veterans Day Parade, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Southern Utah, Chapter 961, participate in the Veterans Day Parade, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

The interchange was brief but indicative of the spirit of gratitude that was prevalent at the event designed to honor and pay tribute to veterans as well as active duty members of the United States Armed Forces.

Veterans Day is a national holiday that is held annually on Nov. 11 and coincides with the historical time, day and month that the Armistice was signed, effectively ending the First World War.

Today the holiday, which is celebrated both nationally (Veterans Day) and internationally (Armistice Day and Remembrance Day), is set aside to remember veterans and honor their service as well as thank those who are serving currently.

The Veterans Day Parade featured several veterans groups, middle and high school bands, elementary schools and local leaders who marched and rode along Telegraph Street in Washington City while throngs of people cheered and waved American flags.

St. George News was able to capture all the sights and sounds of the patriotic display. Please enjoy our video and photo gallery honoring our nation’s veterans.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

Email: hreina@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hollie Reina is a writer, runner, outdoor enthusiast, wife, mother and Southern Utah gal.

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