Aztec Marks Veterans Day with Main Street Parade

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  The origins of Veterans Day can be traced to World War I, when the United States declared an armistice with Germany, formally ending the war on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. That’s the origin of Veterans Day celebrated with a small, colorful parade in Aztec, New Mexico, and later at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars hall. You’re watching the Local NEWS Network, brought to you by CMIT Solutions and Sunray Park and Casino. I’m Hannah Robertson. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day. The latter honors those who perished in battle, while Veterans Day salutes all the Americans who served, the living and the dead. The 11th of November reminds us to honor the sacrifices made for our country. Grand Marshall of the Aztec parade, Kenneth Springer, is a former Marine who spent 12 years in Vietnam, until he broke his back in a training accident. He says the pain is just something you learn to live with. He has no regrets.

  My years in the Marine Corps, I loved every minute of it. I wanted to stay, you know, but due to extenuating circumstances, I couldn’t. I never had any really bad experiences. You know, I mean, Vietnam was bad, but, you know, there’s things in there that you put out of your mind and some people don’t talk at all and others talk about it, so.

  Jamie Poncho is Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Aztec. He served in Iraq.

  Veterans Day, for me, it’s about honoring the vets. I come from a combat branch. I was a medic with the 75th Ranger Regiment. And we, for me, the veterans that have come before me have made it easier for us to conduct warfare in today’s modern age. And the veterans have always had to sacrifice for everybody else, so this is our way of honoring them.

  83 Year old Air Force Vet, Jackie Silcott, served two years in Korea, but that was enough to affect him for the rest of his life.

  Yeah, there’s one thing I did learn, life is very precious. In a war, you don’t want to be there. People have, the normal public, has no idea what it’s like. Have no idea.

  Julio Garcia volunteered for the Vietnam War. He’s one tough dude with the beautiful smile of a guardian angel.

  I was hit with agent orange five times, but I haven’t gotten any kind of cancers or anything, so I’ve been fortunate with that. So a lot of parts of my body have been replaced because they, during the war, I did a lot of things that ruined my knees, my back, and that’s basically it. You’ve got my whole life story. To these four courageous men who fought in three wars, we salute you. We’re forever grateful. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local NEWS Network. I’m Hannah Robertson.