Veterans Day parade held in Grapevine

The annual Veterans Day parade was held in Grapevine as people were out to show support for the ones who have fought for our freedom.

GRAPEVINE, Texas - The annual Veterans Day parade was held in Grapevine as people were out to show support for the ones who have fought for our freedom.

Vietnam veteran Sgt. Eric Newton was the grand marshal of Grapevine’s Veterans Day parade Saturday.

"I spent most of my time in combat, in ‘68 and ’69," he said. "All of these veterans that were here today, they did this for your freedom, for my freedom, for everyone’s freedom. You know, you have to respect that."

There were veterans supporting veterans.

"It’s the foundation of our country. We need to appreciate it and acknowledge and recognize who they are," veteran James Leverette said.

And some who didn’t serve, but want to show appreciation.

"This is true America, right here. We’re in the heartland of America. Small town and small communities who respect and value the values of what this great country was created on," Melinda Leverette said.

Some military memories are too painful to relive.

"And my dad wouldn’t talk too much about WWII," Ed McGuire said.

But as difficult as it might be, the sight of Saturday’s parade provided a sense of gratitude.

"You know, man, war is hell. Nobody wants to go to war but when you have to, you have to," Veteran A.J. Gillinger said. "It hits me right in the heart because, you know man, I see people that are thanking me for what I did and I did voluntarily."

Because people were out at Saturday’s Veterans Day parade for one reason: to support the ones who have fought for our freedom.

"The people who have served and sacrificed for our country, and we need to let them know that we appreciate who they are and what they’ve done," Leverette said.