Florissant hosts 21st annual Veterans Day parade

FLORISSANT, Mo. – High fives and flags flying high at the 21st Florissant Veteran’s Day Parade and Celebration on Sunday afternoon.

“I just respect our veterans and everything they’ve done for our country, and so we try and turn out every year,” Matthew Ogden said.

Beginning at Bangert Park around 1 p.m., the parade had all the sights and sounds of a grand event, with the procession making its way along Florissant Road and St. Francois Street before ending at VFW Post 4105.

“Every year we come out and the parade gets longer and longer,” Jennifer Conner said. “I’m a huge fan of our veterans and the military. What they go through keeping our country safe is pretty cool.”

Parade-goers were proud to come out and, by their attendance and cheers, honor the men and women who have and continue to serve in the military.

“You should always respect your veterans,” Gary Lucas said. “They don’t get enough praise, and days like these are just awesome. Especially the ones still serving. To me, it’s a big deal.”

At the conclusion of the parade, city officials honored Ron Smith as the Florissant Veteran of the Year, and other speakers stressed the importance of Veterans Day.

“Freedom is not free,” Ron Smith, Florissant Veteran of the Year, said. “It does come with a price tag and, for most of us, it means eternal vigilance, and that’s a price I’m willing to pay.”

The St. Louis Veterans Coalition has taken the lead on organizing the parade for the last 21 years.