Posted by Melissa Burlaga

This isn't a parade; it's a march.

For the last four Veterans Days, it has recreated the same trip service people took from the old armory to the depot to ship out.

World War Two vet Bob Watts first made the trip in 1941.

"600 troops left this armory and went down the street to the depot and trained for Camp Claiborne, Louisiana." said Watts.

From there, Bob Watt's unit went to North Africa and Italy.

Less than a decade later, Marines marched the same route down the street for a different conflict.

"My uncle was part of it. He was part of the Marine unit that went off to Korea and they started here and marched to the depot and were shipped out." said Jared Hinks.

Years later, the legend of that journey down the street inspired Jared Hinks to join the Army and then the Air Force.

This modern reincarnation of those long ago trips is meant to be a tribute to all who have served in uniform.

Bob Watts thinks it's a great idea.

"We never came back and bragged about it. After the war we didn't have television or fanfare or parades." said Watts.

After the march, veterans and their supporters gathered in the depot to hear speeches from Air Guard Master Sergeant Keith Johnson, Army Guard General Nick Ostapenko and Coast Guard Commander Michael Lebsack.

To Jared Hinks and this room full of military people, Veterans Day and ceremonies like this are a chance to show pride for service and sacrifice.

"The pride you gain in the military is like these medals. I don't think I'll be more proud of anything in my life and that's why I wear them." said Hinks.

Veterans Day goes back to the end of World War One.

Right now, there is only one American veteran left from that conflict.
Frank Buckles of West Virginia is 108 year old.