Hundreds line 4th Street as the Las Vegas Veterans Day parade honors those who served in the military

What happened at the downtown Veterans Day parade

Hundreds of people lined the route of the Las Vegas Veterans Day parade on Wednesday morning, Nov. 11, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Floats and military trucks decorated in red, white and blue rolled through downtown as spectators watched from behind barricades.

The nonprofit Veterans Action Group organized the event, which began at 9:30 a.m., according to the Review-Journal. The procession started on Garces Avenue and traveled down 4th Street. Times, closures and parking details shared before the event are in our parade guide.

Who marched in the procession

Veterans motorcycle clubs led the way

Bikers from several veterans motorcycle clubs, including the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, were at the front of the parade, the Review-Journal reported. Many of the motorcycles carried flags honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action. Others were fitted with silver spinners.

Soldiers, students and marching bands

Dozens of uniformed Army soldiers marched in step close behind the bikers. Some of them handed out small American flags to children along the route. High school marching bands also performed as they moved down the street.

Local officials joined in

Officials from the Metropolitan Police Department, the city of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas were represented, according to the Review-Journal. Sheriff Kevin McMahill waved to the crowd while walking in front of a police Cybertruck. North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown rode at the back of a fire truck.

What veterans in the crowd said

A different kind of homecoming

Navy veteran Sam Micco, 80, told the Review-Journal he returned from Vietnam more than 50 years ago to a cold welcome. He was in his mid-20s then, and he said many Americans disagreed with the war and, by extension, with the men who fought in it. Wednesday was his second time attending the parade.

"I come down here, and everyone shakes my hand. It doesn't get any better than that," Micco told the Review-Journal. He also described the day as very emotional for him.

Showing up for fellow service members

Lorenzo Stanley, a Las Vegas native who said he served in the Navy for 10 years, called the event a great party. "I'm here to salute my brothers and sisters," he told the Review-Journal. He held his dog, Zoe, who had an American flag tucked into her harness.

Air Force veteran Bob Ain, a longtime paradegoer who now teaches math as a lecturer at UNLV, said it matters to show up for those who serve. He said he hoped to see some Flying Rebels, the university's Air Force ROTC students, in the procession. "This is Vegas," Ain said. "We're supposed to celebrate. It's what we do."

Families cheered on young participants

North Las Vegas resident Synthia Stoddard, 43, came to support her son, a squad leader in Centennial High School's Junior ROTC, the Review-Journal reported. She attended with her daughter, Lola, 13, and both said they were proud of his commitment to the program.

"He looks really great out there," Stoddard said. She described the parade as being about American spirit and pride, with people from many backgrounds gathering around a shared theme. More stories about local residents and events are in our community section.

What to watch next

• City road closures in downtown Las Vegas tied to the parade run until 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Review-Journal.
• The Review-Journal said the parade takes over Fourth Street downtown on Wednesday, Nov. 11, so drivers heading through downtown should check the city's closures before they go.