Old veterans, young recruits and flag-waving family members gathered this morning in front of Dallas City Hall in a ceremony honoring military service and sacrifice.
“The biggest reason the community comes together for this is to remember what we all have in common -- freedom,” said retired Air Force Col. Bernard Talley Jr., a former POW and one of two grand marshals for the parade set to wind though downtown Dallas.
“It hasn’t always been this way, but today veterans are serving a grateful nation.”
Today's 2013 Dallas Veterans Day Parade was organized to honor Vietnam-era veterans and POWs.
Retired Col. Chuck DeBellevue, the parade’s other grand marshal, said the centerpiece of the ceremony will be 150 recruits taking the oath of enlistment.
“Our volunteer military shows this is one of the strengths of our nation,” DeBellevue said. “It just makes you proud to see these young people who are ready to serve their country.”
Pride showed in the eyes of Norma Romo of Mesquite, who held a photo of her 19-year-old son, Gerardo Romo, who’s serving in the Air Force in Japan.
“I feel like I’m here representing him,” Romo said. “He’s serving his country, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Erika Koehling, a 19-year-old from DeSoto, stood at attention, raised her right hand and committed four years to the Air Force. She knew for years this day was coming.
“I’m following in my family’s footsteps,” she said. “My mom, dad and uncle were all in the Air Force. They were all supportive of my decision. I know what I’m getting myself into.”
“The biggest reason the community comes together for this is to remember what we all have in common -- freedom,” said retired Air Force Col. Bernard Talley Jr., a former POW and one of two grand marshals for the parade set to wind though downtown Dallas.
“It hasn’t always been this way, but today veterans are serving a grateful nation.”
Today's 2013 Dallas Veterans Day Parade was organized to honor Vietnam-era veterans and POWs.
Retired Col. Chuck DeBellevue, the parade’s other grand marshal, said the centerpiece of the ceremony will be 150 recruits taking the oath of enlistment.
“Our volunteer military shows this is one of the strengths of our nation,” DeBellevue said. “It just makes you proud to see these young people who are ready to serve their country.”
Pride showed in the eyes of Norma Romo of Mesquite, who held a photo of her 19-year-old son, Gerardo Romo, who’s serving in the Air Force in Japan.
“I feel like I’m here representing him,” Romo said. “He’s serving his country, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Erika Koehling, a 19-year-old from DeSoto, stood at attention, raised her right hand and committed four years to the Air Force. She knew for years this day was coming.
“I’m following in my family’s footsteps,” she said. “My mom, dad and uncle were all in the Air Force. They were all supportive of my decision. I know what I’m getting myself into.”