MACON, Ga. — Downtown Macon was full of waving American flags, big smiles and big floats on Sunday. It was all for Veterans Day, the day Americans honor men and women who have served in the U.S. military.
The Cherry Blossom Festival provided an early celebration for Central Georgia's local heroes.
Hundreds of people lined the streets waving their hands, as school bands, the Bibb County Fire Department, folks from Robins Air Force Base, city officials and more saluted local heroes.
"My heart is full right now," Diane Dixon said.
She came to the parade decked out in Air Force paraphernalia. She retired from the Air Force after 20 years.
Dixon says the floats and many flags are the least the community can do to say thank you.
"We really can't do enough for our veterans now. Especially the way the world is, with all the wars and all the term wars that are out there right now," she said.
Dixon says, while they spent the day thanking heroes for their past service, it was exciting to see the future generation march on.
"Our future depends on the JROTC programs in the schools. Don't forget about our space force now. I try to tell students about that when I go to the high school," she said.
The Robinson family agrees.
"They're our future and hopefully it will take with some of them. They are our future protectors," Larry Robinson said.
Larry and his wife Leslie came up from Warner Robins and said they never thought so many people wanted to support veterans.
"We mainly enjoyed the veterans tribute. I'm a veteran myself and it gets to you," Larry said.
He is an army veteran and says we can't forget what the day is about.
"Enjoying what it means to have the freedoms in this country and who's out there trying to protect them," Larry said.
The Robinsons say seeing the F-15 Flyover that kicked off the parade was a cool way for veterans to be celebrated.
"It was great to see how many people came out, it was a great parade. We will definitely be here next year," Leslie said.