BENNINGTON -- Young and old alike lined the route and participated in the parade as Bennington honored its veterans Sunday.
The weekend observance saw the Mount Anthony Union High School marching band lead a colorful red, white and blue procession of flag-waving school children, service groups and military men and women.
Turning from Main onto North Street, the marchers followed the annual route to the Vermont Veterans Home where the parade concluded with a ceremony at the veterans memorial. Along the way, a wreath was laid at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1332.
Sunday's program included a Gold Star Mothers presentation and brief remarks from Bennington's chief of police, Paul Doucette, who marked the day as occasion to gather and honor veterans past and present from all branches.
"I ask you to think about all veterans, today and all throughout the year," said Doucette, encouraging the crowd to actively honor veterans by volunteering or giving donations -- if not to the vets home, then to one of the community's many service organizations.
"There are many things an individual can do right here in Bennington," he said. "I'd ask you to get involved ... get involved and help all the people who've helped us."
"We would not have our safety and freedoms if not for the veterans of this country."
-- Zeke Wright
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