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Images of the 2023 Kentucky Veterans Day Parade in Louisville, Ky. on Nov. 11, 2023.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- People gathered in downtown Louisville to honor, remember and celebrate veterans and their families on Saturday.

The Kentucky Veterans Day Parade returned to downtown Louisville as part of Veterans Day, a federal holiday observed annually on Nov. 11 to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The parade included historic vehicles, veterans organizations, city leaders and a fly over.

Captain Marj Graves, retired Army Nurse Corps, became the first female Grand Marshal in the parade's history. The Louisville native said it was one of the biggest honors of her life.

"The people in Louisville and surrounding areas are ready to thank the veterans, we're ready to celebrate," Graves said.

Graves was a nurse during the Vietnam War, and volunteered to go to Vietnam after she had been on active duty for four years in the Army Nurse Corp. She was inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame in September 2018.

"I have taken care of many soldiers who have died, we carry them with us even though they are physically not present, they are always with us," Graves said. "Just remember, your veteran is in your soul and always with you."

Albert Kamer, a veteran of the Korean War, has been a part of the parade for years. The 94-year-old from Louisville served almost two years during the Korean War, including nine months on the front lines. He enjoys riding in the parade.

"It makes you feel good, they respect you," Kamer said.

This year's parade started with a touring parade as vehicles assemble in Middletown, Okolona and southern Indiana to meet in downtown Louisville. The traditional parade traveled east on Jefferson Street from 7th Street to the Kentucky International Convention Center. 

For the first time, a new piece of the celebration was added: a static display with an interactive meet-and-greet for the public.

Kevin Riehle, who served in the U.S. Army from 1992-2001, believes the event is important for the community and veterans alike. 

"It's a reminder that the community cares," Riehle said. "A lot of times the veterans came back and didn't feel like they were loved by the community. Having events like this are a reminder to us that they really do care and are thankful for our service."

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 119,550 of the 16.1 million Americans who served in World War II were alive as of 2023. Kentucky has just 1,736 World War II veterans still living, according to the National World War II Museum data.

"When I was younger, World War II veterans and Vietnam veterans were the people I looked up to," Riehle said. "My grandfather was in World War II. You see that generation start to disappear, it really tugs at you."

Graves said it's important to be appreciative of veterans and their families.

"A lot of us carry battle wounds or scars that are still present today," Graves said. "It's important for all of us to respect veterans and their families."

For more information about the Kentucky Veterans Day Parade, click here.

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