Hundreds gathered in downtown St. Louis Saturday to celebrate veterans they've never met and those who've touched their lives personally.
Andrea Bonnert recently retired from Scott Air Force base after 20 years of service. In Saturday's Veterans Day parade, she drove a jeep adorned with a photo of Yvonne Schrecker, who served 23 years in the Air Force but succumbed to brain cancer in September.
"She was our mama bear, mama "Shrek," Bonnert said. "She was an amazing mentor and an amazing leader and I wanted to ride this Veterans Day parade in her honor. She means a lot to me."
Bonnert said the jeep group she was with, the Midwest Off-RoadHERS, raise money for various causes, including cancer research, veterans and the homeless. She said she's always touched by the support she receives in these moments.
"Especially here in St. Louis. They really care about the military and the veterans and taking care of them, so I love giving back to the community," Bonnert said.
Vietnam veteran Don Griffiths said he participates in the parade every year to honor comrades he lost during the war.
"I lost a lot of my friends over there, so I come out to honor them," said Griffiths. "And let people know these people have sacrificed for your freedom."
Griffiths said when folks come up to him and offer thanks for his service, he always makes sure to return the gratitude.
"I let them know that I appreciate what they've recognized. So when they say thank you to me, I say thank you back to them."
Saturday was the 40th edition of the modern St. Louis Veterans Day Parade but the event actually dates back in some form to World War I.
The Veterans Day parade passes in front of the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis Saturday.Scott Jagow
Hundreds participated in Saturday's parade.Scott Jagow
