Matt Tillson
DUNCAN — With the sound of Lee Greenwood’s “God bless the USA” playing over the speakers, veterans and members of the Duncan community and surrounding areas lined the sidewalks of Main Street in anticipation of the annual Veterans Day Parade Saturday.
Master of Ceremonies for the parade was Tommy Howell a retired Vietnam Veteran. Howell said that he was impressed with the turnout for such a special occasion.
“There are so many things that occur on the weekends such as soccer games and family events,” Howell said. “With the turnout that we had today though it just goes to prove that this day really does mean something to so many people.”
Member of the Bravo Battery 1st-158th Field Artillery opened up the parade as the Grand Marshals and presenting the colors.
“These men and women returned from their tour in Iraq a few months ago,” Howell said. “We just wanted to show our appreciation to them for all that they have done.”
The parade was not only to honor the men and women who have served and are serving in the nation’s military services, it was also a parade to recognize the men and women who were and are unable to come home. In memory of those people veteran Russell Combs of Post 258 of the American Legion played taps.
“This day is to honor all the men and women protecting our country over seas and in our own borders,” Combs said. “Anyone who has any patriotism at all would be honored to stand here waving the red, white and blue proudly in support of all of our troops.”
The parade was also a way to show the children of the Duncan community what being a veteran is and ways to show respect and honor to them.
“I’ve looked through books that the young kids are reading today,” Howell said. “These kids are learning about the Civil War, World War II and Vietnam, but they don’t know about any of the other veterans which is a shame.”
Men and women came from around the states to honor our veterans, and for some people it was a homecoming. Gerald Stuck, assistant chief of the Horse Field Artillery Half Section in Fort Sill grew up in Empire and said that it felt great to be back home.
“Out of all of the Veterans Day Parades that I’ve done this is one of the most enjoyable,” Stuck said. “The community has been great to all of the veterans and you just can’t ask for more than that.”
Following the parade was a lunch open to the community hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1192. After the lunch there was a concert held behind the VFW with three local bands performing. One of the local artists was David Woods.
Woods said that he felt honored to perform for the veterans.
“This is just a small way that we can say ‘thank you’ to the men and women you serve our country,” Woods said. “I feel privileged to do this and hope to be asked back again.”
