By Wendy Burton
Thomas Neville of Muskogee and his wife were enjoying a sunny morning motorcycle ride when they happened on the Veterans Day parade preparing to begin Saturday.
Neville, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, decided they'd stay and enjoy it all, he said.
“I think we do a pretty good job of honoring our veterans,” he said.
Muskogee honored America's veterans in a solemn ceremony held in front of Muskogee Civic Center before Saturday's parade.
Hundreds of people filled the area and looked into the skies with exclamations of wonder as four F-16 bombers flew over in formation to mark the event's beginning.
Larry Wilson of Tulsa, an army veteran, came to honor his fellow veterans and to honor the fallen soldiers at Fort Hood, he said.
“I wouldn't have missed this for the world,” Wilson said.
The Fort Hood massacre was on the mind of Barbara Lennox of Muskogee too.
“I think they can't honor veterans enough,” she said. “That thing at Fort Hood was just terrible.”
Lennox's brother was a veteran too, though he has since passed away, she said.
“I appreciate veterans because they give their lives for our freedom,” Lennox said.
The Muskogee High School ROTC Color Guard presented colors, and visitors of every age covered their hearts while Cheryl Oulds from the Muskogee VA Regional Office sang the National Anthem.
Chaplain of the VA Medical Center, Commander Forrest Kirk, U.S. Navy (Ret.), opened the rest of the ceremony with prayer, including a plea for the victims and families of the recent Fort Hood massacre.
Muskogee native Ernest Edwin Evans, a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor and commander of the USS Johnston in World War II, was honored, and Mayor John Tyler Hammons presented a proclamation.
The events concluded with a rifle salute by members of the American Legion Post 15.
“Taps” played by Lee Griffin moved many as most of the audience saluted, covered their hearts or bowed their heads.
Then, the sound of more than 100 motorcycles revving up brought everyone quickly crossing the street, clapping and jockeying for a position to watch the parade begin.
Seven motorcycle clubs participated in the procession and drove around downtown Muskogee sporting American flags of every size imaginable.
In all, more than 60 groups or individuals paraded to honor veterans.
High school freshman Bristen Graves said she attended as part of extra credit for a school assignment, and ended up truly enjoying herself.
“The parade was just great!” she said.
