Veterans March in Annual Parade Down Superior Street
DULUTH - One by one, five different groups made their way from the Depot to the DECC on Sunday in Duluth to remind spectators of who they were and what they fought for.
Representatives from the Army, Navy, Marines, Airforce and the Coast Guard all took part in a Veterans Day March before coming together for a presentation where they recognized family members and put on a rifle salute.
In tonight's Sunday Soundoff, Fox 21's Brett Adkins and photojournalist Jace Christenson asked spectators about the importance of Veterans Day.
“I've been coming ever since Duluth re-created the parade, I believe it was five years ago. My son was on his first deployment at that time and unfortunately I was crying that the vets were walking by so I’ll be a lot more stable today,” said Lee Campbell, a parade spectator.
“I think we should honor them and say thank you. Even for the people in the service today and those who have given their lives for us,” said Susan Ritchie, a parade spectator.
“We're here in all kinds of inclement weather to come in and see and honor them including my son, staff Sgt. Jared Smith who was with the Red Bulls in two deployments to Iraq and Kuwait and just recently got back in April of this year,” said Lee.
“My husband is also is a Vietnam Vet. And so it’s very important to me,” said Ritchie. “I went to church yesterday so I could be here today,” said Peg Campbell, a parade spectator.
“I think it's a great thing to support our veterans and it's very important to be here and to show that sign and that force but I have noticed every time I come to these parades that the veterans look at you so kindly and so thankfully and really we should be the ones that are thankful for them and their service,” said Lee.
“This is why veterans day is so important, all these men and woman are here today because they share a common bond, a brotherhood, a band of brothers, this is it. All different wars, all different branches all different generations. All one,” said Durbin Kenney, a veteran.
Thank you to everyone who has come down today and attended this important event and to thank all the veterans,” said Ritchie.
