Children chanted “U-S-A” and brass bands played Wednesday morning as Manhattan residents gathered to honor veterans at the annual Veterans Day parade. Flint Hills Veterans Coalition organized the parade, which began at 9:30 a.m. at Manhattan Town Center and trailed down Poyntz Avenue.

The parade featured Kansas State Army ROTC, Fort Riley, Boy Scout troops, the Riley County Fire District and Police Department and veterans showing off their motorcycles, antique cars and even a unicycle. Spectators of all ages gathered along the parade route to show their support for those who served.

Having served in the military from 1964 to 1966, Larry Quick attended the parade to support his fellow veterans. Quick said he appreciates seeing the Manhattan community gather to recognize veterans’ service.

“It’s great to see people honor what these veterans have done,” Quick said. “Not for me, the ones that really served. It’s very meaningful what the veterans do for our country.”

Tom Reiss, who served in the Navy for 22 years beginning in 1958, also attended the parade. During his service, he traveled around the world and said the Navy gave him the opportunity to receive an education, meet new people and work different jobs.

“It’s very special,” Reiss said. “The people you meet, the jobs you hold, the education you get. Oh, it’s very special.”

Reiss said the parade was not only an opportunity to recognize the veterans in attendance, but also those who did not return home.

TJ Winter attended the parade to honor his father, who served in World War II. Winter considers himself an “Army brat,” growing up in Germany before coming to Manhattan to attend K-State. 

He said his father began his service in the Philippines during World War II. After the war, due to his ability to speak fluent German, he traveled to Germany to work in counterintelligence.

“He arrested Nazis,” Winter said. “Then he went to Berlin and was a liaison officer.”

Winter said his father worked between the Berlin police and the state government while facing threats from the East German and Russian governments. 

“He was a bit of a spy,” Winter said. “He had a bounty on his head.”

Winter’s father lived to be 98. Having grown up around his father’s military experiences, Winter said he believes it is important for younger generations to learn more about military history.

Military veteran Paul Rogers served around the world for 30 years, from 1984 to 2013, and said he considers the parade an opportunity for the community to support veterans, especially as fewer veterans remain healthy enough to participate.

“It means camaraderie and a warmth from the community to show that they care,” Rogers said. “It’s important for us, especially since there are less and less veterans out there that are healthy and able to come out and participate or even view the parade.”

Rogers said he believes it’s important for younger generations to understand the sacrifices veterans make.

“I think it’s very important, especially for the younger kids, to realize freedom is not free and there are people who served to make sure we keep our freedoms, and there are those who died to do so,” Rogers said.

As Veterans Day brought Manhattan residents together to honor those who served, Rogers said he hoped the parade would encourage younger generations to consider serving their country.

“We dedicated sometimes our entire lives to make sure that the freedoms we have are upheld and that they can also serve with distinction, and it’s not just for somebody else,” Rogers said. “Everyone should consider service to their country.”