Thousands honor veterans at Jacksonville’s 14th annual Veterans Day Parade

Thousands of people lined the streets of Downtown Jacksonville on Wednesday for the city’s 14th annual Veterans Day Parade, a time-honored tradition celebrating those who have served.

Participants marched along Bay Street in formation. One marcher wore red, white and blue Jordan sneakers. The route was a sea of red, white and blue from service members to civilians.

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Marchers of all ages, from young JROTC participants to older veterans riding in cars, were honored along the route.

Annette Littlefield of Springfield said the parade’s meaning is personal for her family.

“I love what it represents,” Littlefield said. “My grandfather was in the Marine Corps. We have other family members that are represented in the military to just a service aspect of everything and the fact that they’ve given up so much of the country.”

Littlefield’s children, 8-year-old Dexter and 5-year-old Charlie, were more direct about what they came to see.

“War stuff,” Dexter said.

“Cool stuff,” Charlie said.

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The parade also featured the mayor, fire truck sirens and marching bands.

Lakyndra Young of Jacksonville arrived early to secure a good spot. It was the second parade she had brought her young son to, and she wanted him to see the firefighters and veterans.

“First to get a good spot and for my baby to see this is the second parade,” Young said. “I kind of want him to see the firefighters, the veterans, you know, people that serve.”

Young said the day also has family significance.

“My uncle, he served for almost 30 or 40 years,” she said.

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