MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) – The Riley County community gathered for its Veterans Day parade in Manhattan.
“It’s nice to have people recognize, you know some recognition and people saying ‘Thank you’ and everything for it,” said Air Force and Army veteran Kevin McCush. “People actually care, that’s what it seems like. It makes it like people care.”
Several schools, organizations and community members came together to celebrate and thank veterans.
“The military is what protects us and what keeps us safe and free and all the things that we enjoy,” said Junction City High School Senior Army Instructor Richard Hodgson. “So it’s just great that we’re celebrating it for those maybe who haven’t served, at least they appreciate it.
“In order to do stuff like that you’ve got to have support from family members and people back home to do it,” McCush said. “That’s where all of this comes into play to help support all that. And so the soldiers can do their job.”
The parade provided students with a way to learn more about their military and understand the country’s past.
“You’re not going to learn unless you hear it directly,” said Army veteran Eszter Blair. “The more we can talk about it with the younger generation, the more that history won’t go away.”
Junction City High School JROTC members Valeria Vargas and Isabella Adams-Bennett shared what it meant to them.
“We are allowed to represent those veterans who have came before us and have helped defend our country,” Vargas said.
“It shows our citizenship and how loyal we are to the people who have fought for our country and who have done so much for us,” Adams-Bennett said.
The route went through downtown Manhattan, featuring hundreds of participants.
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