The annual Veterans Day parade took place on Court Street on Wednesday morning.
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Music, chants and car roars were the sounds spectators heard while standing on the sidewalk of Court Street on Wednesday morning.
The annual Athens Veterans Day parade started at the north end of Court Street when the clock struck 10 a.m. and ended at College Green at about 11 a.m.
Pam Riley, a member of a veterans’ service organization, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, whose deceased father was a veteran, said the parade is an annual outing for her family.
“We celebrate every year together,” Riley said. “It’s also my father’s birthday.”
The parade started with a small group of veterans walking down the street holding the American flag.
They were followed by members of the Ohio University ROTC being escorted by Athens Police Department officers. The ROTC members marched in sync, celebrating a day dedicated to honoring members of the United States military.
OU’s Marching 110 played in tribute to those who have served in the military at the corner of Court and Washington streets. The Athens High School band and the Alexander Marching Spartans played during the parade, as well.
Eric Heck, a Marine Corps veteran, said he has a long family history of military service. His father and both grandfathers were also in the military. One of Heck’s brothers is in the Army. His other brother is in the Marines, and his sister is in the Navy.
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“This is a very special day, and so was yesterday because it was the Marine Corp birthday,” Heck said.
Heck, like Riley, said he attends the parade every year.
“The Alexander marching band playing the Marine Corps hymn was my favorite part,” Heck said. “I tapped my foot along to the Marine Corps hymn.”
After the parade ended, there were speeches and a moment of silence for veterans at the Athens Civil War Monument on College Green.
While the speeches were happening, two women were handing out free coffee and donuts to those who participated and watched the parade.
Sharon Darnell, who also attends the parade annually, had family members in the military, as well.
“If anything, tell people they should thank a veteran when they see them come home in an airport,” Darnell said. “They’d be amazed at how many would cry.”
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