HARTFORD -- The largest Veterans Day parade in New England stepped off Sunday morning in Hartford.
Ray Garceau is a veteran who came out to thank others who served.
“I wear my hat and I get so many people saluting me and everything else but I’m here to support them.”
Nearly three thousand veterans marched including veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
The parade -- now in its 17th year -- gives people a chance to show their gratitude for veterans' service and sacrifice.
“It’s so important that people come and say thank you to veterans and to active personnel too. they risk their lives so we can all live in freedom,“ said Laura Soll, Ct Veterans Parade.
Mac MacArthur, with the CT Patriot Guard Riders, helps to lay wreaths across the country remembering fallen soldiers.
“We want to try to make sure people realize how much the veterans have given to this country.”
He understands that without veterans, America would be a much different country.
And for that -- they deserve our gratitude and respect.
If they hadn’t made the sacrifices they did in World War II, in Korea, in Vietnam and presently, we wouldn’t have the freedom we have right now. “
