PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Despite the rain, thousands marched down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday afternoon for the 11th Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade ahead of Veterans Day on Tuesday.
For Chrystal, it was her first Veterans Parade in person, but she said she’s been watching on TV for years because military service runs in her family.
“It’s a long line. I have two uncles that were in the military… both in the Army. I had an uncle that was in the Marines; my son is in the Air Force,” she said.
Her son, Kevin, also took part in his first Parade alongside his girlfriend, Jaclyn.
“I definitely feel like the military in general is like a culture… I’m honored to be among these people,” he said.
More than 100 veteran organizations and over 4,000 people took part in the parade, representing all branches of the Armed Forces. The parade began at 20th and Parkway and ended in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum, where a veterans festival is being held until 4 p.m.
Chrystal said her favorite part of the parade is seeing the older generations connect with the younger ones and set an example for them to care throughout their own military careers.
“To see how they are still walking up, proud to serve this country, and not feel so sad and like: ‘Oh my god, what happened?’ No. They’re still wearing their pride on their shoulders,” she said.
“I took part in that history; I’m handing the mantle down to the younger people.”