SARASOTA – November 11th is all about honoring the men and women who served our country and the City of Sarasota held its annual Veterans Day Parade to do just that.
“To a veteran it’s like Christmas…It’s the day we look forward to because all eyes are on upon us and our service actually meant something to the rest of this country,” said Vietnam War Veteran and wife, Gary and Emilie Peterson.
Gary Peterson is one of the many soldiers who came out to the Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Sarasota, Thursday morning.
This event has gone on for about 35 years and this year’s theme ‘All gave some… some gave all.”
“All gave some meaning that all of the people, all of the veterans in all the wars have given some assistance to freedom and some gave all meaning that died for freedom,” said the Parade Marshall’s wife, Tootie Kennedy.
“We are here not just for us, but all the fellas who have not come back,” said the Peterson’s.
“It’s not about me, it’s about all of us,” said Air Force Veteran, Sue Ella.
Hundreds participated in the festivities on Main Street. Law enforcement agencies, Color Guards, Military vehicles, community organizations and students from local schools.
Every veteran has a story to tell.. and one Combat War Veteran served two tours in Vietnam. He went from priesthood being a gunner on a gunboat in Vietnam.
“It’s one of the things that’s very difficult for the rest of your life to deal with killing people after you just spent two years telling people that killing peoples is against God’s law,” said the Peterson’s.
But Peterson considers himself one of the lucky ones. Some lost loved ones…
“My uncle died in Italy in world war 2 and my dad fought in Okinawa, but he came back,” said Kennedy.
At the end of the day, it’s about honor.. remembrance… and giving thanks.
“We just appreciate all of the veterans that help keep our country free, we love our country,” said Chaz Reyes, Eva Marie Gallina, and Tommy Padilla.
“We just want to honor the veterans because it’s something you should do more than one day a year,”
