Peoria celebrates Veterans Day

Barb Timerman brought her class from the Downtown Childcare Center to Wednesday's Veteran's Day Parade for a civic lesson.

What do she hope these kids would learn by being there?

"Respect for our country and to appreciate, no matter who our leaders may be, appreciate what we have and respect them," said Timerman.

And respect was on display all along the parade route.

"They're the people who served for us and died for us to be free," said Jennifer Gualandi, a grade school student from Peoria.

For many Wednesday's observance of Veteran's Day was even more profound than usual because of last week's massacre at Fort Hood, Texas.

"I just cannot imagine what those men and women went through," said Mary Reiter of Peoria Heights, fighting back tears. "I can't imagine what their families are going through. Having my youngest son in Desert Storm I know how you feel every time you hear that you've lost someone. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of them."

Vietnam Veteran Bruce Thiemann echoed that sentiment while speaking at the World War I and II Memorial.

"You don't have to leave this country to expose yourself to danger," said Thiemann. "If you wear the uniform, unfortunately, you might be a target. It's another reason to honor veterans and honor their service."

Veteran Dennis Loges has also been thinking about the men and women of Fort Hood.

"We remembered them at our VFW last meeting. We had a moment of silence for all of the guys at Fort Hood."

"That just shows you how frail life really is," said Vietman veteran Jim Porter. "We can be where we think we're safe and we're really not"

We salute their bravery and honor their sacrifice.

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