Las Vegas NowLas Vegas Observes Veterans Day

Las Vegas Observes Veterans Day

Thousands lined the streets of Downtown Las Vegas for the Veterans Day Parade. Nellis Airmen and Women kicked off the festivities, followed by the Army Band.

There were plenty of marching bands and floats. Besides spectators, many veterans were also in the crowd.

They may have served in different branches and in different decades, but they share a common bond. As veterans, each of them said they honor other men and women who served our country and made sacrifices for our freedom.

There was so much emotion at the parade. Some veterans stood alone along the route and saluted every other veteran who came by.

Throughout the morning it was pretty common to hear one veteran say to another, “Thank you for your service."

Click here to learn more about the history of Veterans Day

Many vets say this day is so much more than a day off from school or work. It's meant to remember war heroes, both past and present.

Army vet Neil Lott stood in silent salute. “I can't even describe it when I told other veterans around here. Its just a comradery that you can't explain,” he said.

The 70-year-old veteran couldn't explain it with words but it was easy to see. He stood with other veterans and thanked every serviceman and woman who walked by. “You should realize that we live in the most wonderful country in the world and that these veterans protect these freedoms that we have. We are so much better off than other people in the world and our veterans will keep it that way,” he said.

A 90-year-old World War II veteran watched the parade from his car. Parked right in front of him, another man who spent 22 years in the Army. His motorcycle decorated in metals and with an inscription that read "nothing is dearer than life but nothing is more precious than to live it in freedom."

Veteran Clifford Leonard stood across the street with his wife and son. He served in the Navy for 34 years and he remembers friends who paid the ultimate price. “I volunteered to take a flight for cargo and he replaced me and got a bullet in the forehead,” he said.

Veterans say this is a tribute to the men and women who gave their blood, sweat, and lives on frontlines. “Too many people have to die to earn the respect and freedom we've got,” said Leonard.

And a little reminder that freedom isn't free. If you couldn't make it to the parade, veterans say there is still so much you can do, just by saying thank you or writing to someone serving right now.