ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 The City of Orlando\u2019s annual Veterans Day Parade celebrated its 26th year with a significant change of scenery, as for the first time, the event was held in Lake Nona, drawing large crowds and renewed appreciation for local veterans despite ongoing concerns over the government shutdown.<\/p>\n
Thousands lined the avenues Saturday for the parade\u2019s debut in the fast-growing Lake Nona community, home to the Orlando VA Medical Center. Mayor Buddy Dyer said the decision to relocate the downtown tradition was made in partnership with the city\u2019s veterans committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur veterans committee thought it\u2019d be a good idea to move it out to Lake Nona. Traditionally, it\u2019s been in downtown, but we have this great VA Hospital and the presence of all the veterans that come here to Lake Nona,\u201d Dyer said. \u201cWe\u2019re gonna try it out this year. Looks like a big crowd. We have, I think, 84 different entries in the parade, so it\u2019s one of the bigger parades that we have. So we look for a great success today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spectators cheered and waved flags as marching bands and veteran groups made their way through the streets, honoring those who have served. For 88-year-old veteran Aida Rivera, the day was deeply meaningful.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you get out of the service, recognition is very little, and being recognized today for me\u2014it\u2019s wonderful,\u201d Rivera said.<\/p>\n
But with the federal government shutdown casting a shadow, many veterans expressed frustration over the trickle-down effects on the community. <\/p>\n
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it\u2019s FREE)<\/a>| PINIT! Share your photos<\/a>]<\/p>\n \u201cIt really disheartens me that we could ever shut down the government, and let alone all the trickle-down effects of that, of the things that 99% of the population wouldn\u2019t even think about,\u201d said Timothy Beers, a recent retiree.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the government shuts down, you may not be able to turn someone into a national cemetery because it\u2019s closed down.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor Dyer echoed the concerns and called for state intervention to protect veterans, particularly regarding benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).<\/p>\n \u201cThere is the opportunity for the state to step in, especially on SNAP benefits, to bridge that gap,\u201d Dyer said. \u201cThe governor has decided not to do that. I think, at least at the local and state levels, we need to say\u2014we don\u2019t care whether the Democrats are at fault or the Republicans are at fault. We need to take care of our citizens, especially our veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs said their commitment to serving veterans continues.<\/p>\n