Thousands across mid-Michigan took time Thursday to honor those who have served America.
"This is the day that I shed some tears,." said Midland's Dave Pickering when discussing Veterans' Day.
Pickering served from 1968 to 1969 in the 9th Infantry and thinks about his fallen brothers every day, but especially on Veterans' Day. He was among about 100 in attendance Thursday in front of the Midland County Courthouse, near the WWII and Korean War Veterans memorials.
"It's an honor for me," Pickering said. "And I appreciate a couple people that shook my hand today that truly appreciated what we went through."
Among those in attendance were U.S. Congressman Dave Camp, newly elected state Senator John Moolenaar, who is the father of a military vet.
"You see all these veterans from all different wars," Moolenaar said. "Having had two children in the military; a son that served in Iraq and one that recently graduated from West Point, I can appreciate the families involved and what it means for families."
Organizers of the Midland Veterans' Day ceremony said the event has grown every year.
