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Annual Veterans Day Parade Serves As Time Of Honor In Downtown Jacksonville

Kayla Davis
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WJCT News
Companies and groups lined up in Everbank Field to wait for the start of the Veterans Day Parade.

Jacksonville held its annual Veterans Day Parade downtown on Friday.

Armed with colorful floats, several companies and groups took to the streets of downtown Jacksonville to show their appreciation for veterans.

As an immigrant to America, Oluwole Olunuga believes going to the parade is just a little way he can say thanks to those who fought for his rights.

“They sacrificed much for so little so everybody needs to rally around to always appreciate our military men and women,” he said.

World War 2 veteran H. E. Whitehead, 91, who was also in attendance, said veterans are the ones who take care of the country.

Another parade onlooker, Cleophus Brown, who was waiting for the parade to start near Everbank field, was at the parade to show his support for the many men and women in uniform.

“I’m out here to celebrate the parade the mens and women that have fought for our country and just give them all of the praise and thanks and most of all give God the honor and praise for them returning back home,” he said.  

Credit Kayla Davis / WJCT News
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WJCT News
A group held a giant parade balloon of the American Flag during the Veterans Day Parade.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will continue honoring veterans during its military appreciation game Sunday against the Houston Texans. According to the Jaguarswebsite, they are offering 5,000 free tickets to active, retired or reserve military members and their families. For more information, call (904) 633-2000.

Contact Kayla Davis at newsteam@wjct.org or on Twitter at @Kayla_Charisse

Kayla Davis is a Jacksonville native and senior at the University of North Florida, majoring in multimedia journalism.