Veterans Day parade honors military service
A color guard marches through downtown Ephrata during the Veterans Day parade Thursday.
EPHRATA - A military Humvee led the lineup of veterans, civil air patrol members, boy and girl scouts and others at the 13th Veterans Day parade in Ephrata.
Despite the cold, foggy air, onlookers gathered on sidewalks to watch the spectacle.
The annual parade honoring military personnel began in front of the Grant County Courthouse and continued through town, stopping in front of the Ephrata Recreation Center to fire a rifle salute.
The salute took place at 11 a.m. in memory of the armistice ending World War I at the eleventh hour on Nov. 11, 1918.
This year's theme was the same as in years past, "Freedom isn't free, it is bought and paid for by America's veterans," said parade co-organizer Mike Montaney.
"It's good for the young folks to know what it takes to keep this country free," said Coast Guard veteran Larry Price.
"The veterans paid the price," said Korean war veteran Virgil LaPlant, "Freedom doesn't come cheap."
The parade continued to the Vietnam Memorial in front of the court house for another rifle salute before ending.
Organizers Mike and Jane Montaney invited parade participants and spectators to American Legion Post 28 for a soup and sandwich luncheon afterward.
At Post 28, lunch including cake, cookies, coffee and 19 varieties of soup was served by Kathy Hocking and Pat Witham. Last year 172 veterans and visitors attended the luncheon, according to Hocking.
"It's important that we tell the veterans thank you for their sacrifice," said Witham.