Locals turn out for annual Veterans Day Parade

Veterans and their supporters filled Main Street for the 15th annual Veterans Day Parade this afternoon in downtown Galesburg.

Bands from local schools played alongside floats and marchers from nearly 60 parade participants.

Vietnam vet James Blackwell stood on Cherry Street near the end of the parade route at Knox County Courthouse.

Blackwell tells WGIL he came out for the yearly parade in his home town because he feels veterans deserve recognition for their service.

“I figure if you’re going to defend our county, you should be able to get rewarded for it,” Blackwell says.

Blackwell served in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 72 and was stationed in Thailand.

Also out enjoying the weather and supporting the troops was Galesburg-native Larry Van Velsor.

Van Velsor says he has family who served in the military.

“My dad was in the army and my youngest boy’s 28 years in the navy and my grandson who just got out of the navy after four years,” Van Velsor says. “I’ve always been there to support them; every year I’m here.”

The Grand Marshal in today’s parade was Abingdon Police Officer and Navy Vet Chris Spears, who was joined with his service dog Rossi.

Spears and Rossi served together in Iraq before being separated and subsequently reunited.

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