95th Annual Fresno Veteran's Parade

Veterans Day celebrations kicked off across the valley and as usual the Fresno Veteran’s Day Parade drew an incredible crowd. The 95th annual parade started at Tulare and P Street and stretched through downtown Fresno, ending at Chukchansi park. It’s the largest Veteran’s Day Parade on the west coast honoring troops past and present.

A crowd of thousands lined the streets, cheering and waving flags- the very flag generations of veterans so bravely fought to protect.

Louis Count says she went to the parade, “To make sure we’re here for the people that serve.”

On a day like Veteran’s Day, humbled veterans proudly soak up the support.

Leonard Contreras, an Iraq war veteran, says “It never gets old coming here. It’s always very heartwarming.

It’s a sweet reminder of their courageous service; a reminder that people care, that people of all ages are thankful.

Six-year-old Halen says, “Thank you for helping our world.”

Fresno’s famed veterans parade kicked off with the 21 gun salute,  followed by a procession of patriotic sites. The parade, now and it’s 95th year, brings back memories for Vietnam War veteran Jim Estes.

Estes says, “I marched in this parade back in high school.”

Now, he’s among the heroes being honored; a celebration he missed out on when he first returned home from war.

Estes says, “Today I would say it’s 100 percent better and it makes me feel good.”

It’s a day set aside for those who have fought for our freedom in times of war and in peace, those who continue to put their lives on the line and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice- a day to honor our country’s brave.