Southeast North Carolina Veterans Day Parade draws crowd to Front Street

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Neighbors from across the region lined Front Street on Saturday morning for the Southeast North Carolina Veterans Day Parade.

Veterans, active-duty service members, marching bands and community groups marched through downtown Wilmington. Organizers said the parade included 11 marching bands. They said 75 people helped make the event possible.

Groups that support veterans and military families

Groups that help veterans adjust to civilian life walked in the parade, along with clubs for military children.

Spectator reflects on service

Thomas Johnson III was among the spectators. He spent 20 years in the Air Force and served in multiple campaigns.

“I came out to support the veterans. The people that put this on are great things for the city, great things for the country,” Johnson said.

Johnson is one of more than 600,000 veterans in North Carolina. He said the day is about more than a celebration. He said it is also about recognizing what it takes to serve.

“It’s just a sacrifice on your family and your kids, and a sacrifice on people in the local communities. You have to leave and come back, and you have to move a lot. But what we do is part of the tradition of the country,” Johnson said.

More Veterans Day events

Veterans Day is Wednesday.

A number of other events honoring those who served are listed here.