Crowds gathered in Downtown Pittsburgh for the annual Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade, moving along a revised route through the city center on the Boulevard of the Allies and Grant Street.<\/p>\n
Organizers describe the event as one of the country\u2019s oldest and most enduring parades, with its inaugural occurrence dating back to 1919. <\/p>\n
Spectators braved cold temperatures and overcast weather to support local veterans and active service members.<\/p>\n
Shaler Township resident Tara Ronel was among those attending the downtown event. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt really strikes home that I think this part of our military is very important, and our security,\u201d Ronel said. \u201cRegardless of what people believe, it\u2019s the cornerstone of our freedoms. So I think we should put all of that past us and come out and support the people who protect us.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Washington County, another Veterans Day parade took place along Main Street in Washington, Pa. <\/p>\n
The event recognized several \u201cHometown Heroes,\u201d including a Purple Heart recipient, veterans of the Vietnam and Korean wars and retired military officers.<\/p>\n
Among those honored was Gist Wylie, a retired lieutenant colonel and Vietnam veteran who completed 23 years of service with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. <\/p>\n
Wylie, whose 82nd birthday is Nov. 20, reflected on receiving the honor. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am impressed. I don\u2019t know why I got it,\u201d Wylie said. \u201cThere are a lot of other people here that deserve it as much. So, I\u2019m happy that I got it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The official observance of Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11.<\/p>\n
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