The Veterans Day Parade lasted about an hour and then there was an open house courtesy of the Community Military Appreciation Committee as Vancouver saluted its veterans during Tuesday’s holiday
Paul Valencia
Clark County Today
One by one, honored guests, prestigious organizations, and pretty much anyone who wanted to show their support for veterans walked along a parade route Tuesday in Vancouver.
For about an hour, they marched or drove or rode on Evergreen Boulevard along Officer’s Row and made it to Fort Vancouver Way.
Soldiers. Families. Youngsters who wanted to honor old soldiers, and families.
They were greeted by even more folks on the sidewalk, many waving American flags.
The Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade, the 37th edition, was presented by The Historic Trust. After the parade, there was an open house hosted by the Community Military Appreciation Committee at nearby Pearson Field.
“Honoring our veterans is just so important,” said Vancouver Police Chief Troy Price. “We have so many who answered the call. They volunteered. They were drafted. However they did it, they served our country, and they served it well.”
He was overwhelmed by the support on display.
“The veterans who are lining Evergreen (Blvd.), this is just a fantastic thing to see. It’s really part of who we are as a community in Vancouver,” Price said. “This is really important.”
A group of children made their own Veterans Day cards and asked those in the crowd if they were veterans. Those who said yes received a homemade thank you card.
After the parade, CMAC hosted an open house for veterans as well as those who wanted to say hello to veterans.
Close to 30 veteran-friendly businesses and organizations set up booths. There were free hot dogs and pork sliders, plus coffee and other refreshments. A long line was spotted to get into the greeting area.
“We want to appreciate and recognize the veterans,” said Ron Powers, associate director of the open house for CMAC as well as a veteran himself. “Veterans have given this country a lot. We took time out of our lives to give to America and we took an oath that we were going to protect America. We want to appreciate what veterans have done.”
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