Originally designed to pay tribute to veterans of WWI, Veterans Day, or Armistice Day as it is still called in the United Kingdom, continues to be observed as a day honoring all veterans of wars who have shown heroism and sacrifice in service to the United States of America.
Tuesday morning, a countywide Veterans Day celebration took place in Washington City, beginning with a parade and culminating in a moving tribute to veterans, honoring both local servicemen and women and those all over the world who have served and continue to serve this country.
The parade route wound through Washington, passing throngs of veterans and community members who came out to pay tribute and show their support.
“It’s an honor to come out and support all the other veterans in the area,” Kenneth LeFevre, a Vietnam veteran, said. “It’s good to feel appreciated. For many years, the Vietnam veterans were not even acknowledged, and now the tide is changing. It is nice to come out and have people say ‘thank you.’”
The Patriot Guard Riders of Southern Utah led the parade, which featured veterans groups, school groups, marching bands from schools throughout the Washington County School District, local dignitaries and city royalties.
Ed. note: Rhaldo A. Turner’s name incorrectly identified in video.
Significantly missing from the parade were any commercial entries, which allowed the focus to remain on the veterans.
St. George News associate and veteran Brett Barrett recounted his experience at the parade:
Along the parade route, children were handed American flags to wave and candy was tossed from many of the floats, adding an air of celebration to the day of remembrance.
After the parade, community members gathered at the Washington City Veterans Park, where a tribute ceremony was held adhering to the theme “We are still the land of the free.”
A field of flags adorned the park grass, and a solemn and celebratory program of remembrance honored the nation’s heroes with the posting of the colors and patriotic songs and displays.
The community’s youth played a big part in the program as school choirs, students, the Junior ROTC and scouts took part, bridging the gap between the servicemen and women of the past and those who may serve in the future.
“It’s our heritage,” Kent Horspool, a Vietnam Veteran of the Air Force, said. “These men and women that volunteer to fight for our country, we owe them a great deal of gratitude. I lost friends in Vietnam, and in all the other wars we lost a lot of good people. It is good that we honor them.”
Veterans Day parade in Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Aileen Tadd, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Isaac Baer, 3, dances with his flag and candy at the Veterans Day parade, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Dixie High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Master Sgts. Jack Wright and Cole Cutner demonstrate their rifle skills at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Dixie High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Master Sgts. Jack Wright and Cole Cutner demonstrate their rifle skills at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Dixie High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Master Sgts. Jack Wright and Cole Cutner demonstrate their rifle skills at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Dixie High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Master Sgts. Jack Wright and Cole Cutner demonstrate their rifle skills at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Dixie High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Master Sgts. Jack Wright and Cole Cutner demonstrate their rifle skills at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A countywide Veterans Day parade and program pays tribute to servicemen and women, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Quentin Nisson, 96, is helped by his son Kelvin Nisson. Quentin Nisson, who played the patriotic prelude, is a U.S. Army veteran, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Master of ceremonies Burke Staheli and the Pine View High School Trilogy Choir at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Veterans salute the flag during the ceremony at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
A large crowd gathers at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
A field of flags at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Dixie High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Master Sgts. Cole Cutner and Jack Wright demonstrate their rifle skills at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Red Rock Swing Dancers perform at Veterans Park Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Red Rock Swing Dancers perform at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Veteran Ferron Holt reads "Who Are the Brave" tribute at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Taps is performed by Dallin Keeler at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Veterans stand during the Armed Forces Medley, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Veterans shake hands with students and other citizens at the conclusion of the program at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Shelly Griffin, St. George News
Paul Niesen looks up the parade route at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Paul Niesen greets fellow veterans during the Veterans Day parade, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Paul Niesen looks up the parade route at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Paul Niesen looks up the parade route at the Veterans Day parade and program, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
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