Pittsburgh Salutes Military Men & Women At Annual Veterans Day Parade
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The 95th Annual Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Pittsburgh gave many people an opportunity to say thank you to the men and women who have served their country in peacetime and in war.
"We have a brother-in-law that's a veteran and we're very proud of him," said Michelle Dirkel, a parade attendee.
"It's honoring all the veterans that were serving for us," added parade-goer Kiley Dirkel, "and I think it's great to have this to honor them."
Normally, the parade is held on Nov. 11, but it was switched to the weekend in hopes of boosting attendance.
Some veterans think it's a good idea.
"I think it's great," said Ken Petri, a veteran. "I wish they could get more people down here, though, you know, it's a Saturday, everybody should be at the parade. The least they could do is to show up at the Veterans Day parade."
"It's nice the kids can come out and see what it means to a lot of people that have served in the service, and they friendships they have made from that," William Peterson, another veteran, said.
Eighty organizations and veterans groups marched proudly though the streets - veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and Iraq wars.
Meanwhile, the public was invited to the first-ever Steel City Salutes the Troops event, held in conjunction with the parade at Point State Park.
It's was open to everyone to celebrate the present, history and future of the military in western Pennsylvania.
"Here in the western Pennsylvania region, we have one of the largest and oldest military and veteran populations in the country and a lot of people aren't aware of that," said Maj. Karen Bogdan, of the 171st Air Refueling Wing.
The event at Point State Park is also designed to raise money for military families and allow the public to meet and greet the men and women who proudly represent western Pennsylvania.
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