Downtown Veterans Day parade honors those who served
Family and friends celebrate war heroes with floats, cheers
Connie Sykora-Gerlich was there to remember her father.
Moments before the Veterans Day parade began Sunday afternoon in downtown Houston, standing near the corner of Dallas and Bagby Street, Sykora-Gerlich used the day to honor her father’s service as a firefighter in the Army during World War II.
“They served for us,” said Sykora-Gerlich. “They gave for us to be free. It is very important. Each and every one of them have a story behind all of this.”
Wearing a camouflage jacket and a shirt that read “My Daddy, My Hero,” Sykora-Gerlich was one of many who gathered downtown to pay homage to veterans.
The parade was part of a Sunday celebration for over 200,000 veterans and their families who live in Houston and for the many scattered across the country. A hearty crowd of kids and adults were not deterred by the cold, drizzly weather.
Before the parade, the morning kicked off with a health fair across from City Hall. This event was then followed by a moment of silence to pay respects to the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice signing, which ended fighting in what was called “the war to end all wars.” The morning ceremony also celebrated the centennial anniversary of women being able to serve in the Marines.
As the downtown Houston parade began, trumpets blared while members of Jack Yates High School’s band and dancers sashayed down the street. Their red and gold outfits sparkled against the gray sky.
Raquel Edwards was there to see her own students from The Rhodes School, which was a part