It’s National Veterans Month, and Erie honored those who served with a beloved tradition Sunday morning as the community came together for the Erie Veterans Day Parade.
For some, the annual parade honors years of service. For others, it’s where that commitment is just beginning.
Veterans organizations marched down State Street alongside the Erie High School Marching Band and Junior ROTC students.
“I liked it cause I served for like three years and a half. I’ve been in JROTC for a long time. It’s really nice,” said Pauline Mulumba, a second colonel with Erie High’s JROTC program.
“I wanted to do this my whole life. I want to join the Army and I’m doing ROTC. That’s good. Like they help you,” said Erie High JROTC member Dieu Mboko.
Families lined State Street to cheer them on.
And for one mom, whose family includes several veterans, the day carried even more meaning.
“Actually brings great pride. He’s actually looking into going into the service after he graduates from Cathedral Prep in some way or another, so it’s just great pride,” said Heather Bartlett, mother of a JROTC student.
The parade was just the beginning. The event continued with a veterans reception at the Erie VA and a ceremony at Jefferson Elementary.
“The veteran motto is, ‘It ain’t raining, we ain’t training,’ and so today was a perfect day for that. Veterans came out, the community came out. Erie VA is about family,” said John Gennaro, executive director of the Erie VA.
For the veterans who took part, the parade was a chance to see that appreciation firsthand and how it will continue beyond the parade.