Auburn honors veterans with a parade filled with color and pride | PHOTOS

Thousands of spectators lined Main Street to take in Auburn’s 52nd annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday.

Over the years, Auburn’s Veterans Parade has become one of the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi River. The National Veterans Day Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs selected Auburn as one of the few regional sites for Veterans Day observance this year.

Saturday’s parade honored the Fleet Reserve Association, a congressionally chartered, nonprofit organization consisting of retired, active duty and veterans of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The Fleet Reserve was chartered in 1924. The organization lobbies to preserve the benefits that have been awarded to the Naval Services, and it is active in community activities.

Auburn, a Vietnam War commemorative partner, also paid special tribute to the service, valor and sacrifice of those who served in that war.

The parade featured more than 200 entries, with nearly 6,000 parade participants showcasing American strength of will, endurance and purpose. The parade had 30 marching bands, including the 56th First Corps Army Band, Navy Band Northwest and the 133D Washington National Guard Band.

Spectators were treated to several local Junior ROTC units, honor guards, military units and antique military vehicles. Spectators also enjoyed the procession of veteran units, drill teams, community and scouting groups, intermixed with floats, antique and classic cars, and other entries of interest.

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