ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – This Veterans Day, hundreds of people participated to honor and recognize those who have served and continue to serve our country.

“I am the son and grandson of veterans, as well as my father-in-law’s veteran, both of my grandfathers and my wife’s veteran,” said the air base commander of Kirtland, Colonel Michael Power.

For Power, this Veterans Day was about coming together with the community to honor those who serve our country.

“The Albuquerque community is very patriotic. Many people have served in our community and so it’s very special when we can come together at events like this to really talk about our veterans, honor them and take the time to recognize and support them ” Power said. .

That’s what happened at the city’s Veterans Day parade. Dozens gathered as veterans and ROTC groups marched from USS Bullhead Park to New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park.

One of the highlights of Power was seeing the younger generation get involved.

“I think by participating in events like this we can hopefully set a good example for them and hopefully some of them will serve as well when they grow up. But regardless, it’s just about setting an example on how we treat our veterans, how we recognize them and provide that support,” Power said.

For the Blue Star Mothers, today is about continuing their service in support of our troops.

“This is an opportunity for us to recognize the sacrifices that so many of our veterans have made, because it is very important for us to let them know that they are appreciated, that they are remembered and their sacrifices ” said Lisa Childress, a Blue Star Mothers. financial secretary.

For veterans, it’s about honoring those who are protecting our country right now.

“Well, what Veterans Day means to me on a large scale, it’s not so much about my service, but more about those who are currently serving and the families that they’re currently serving,” said Omar Djojo Di. Ningrat, a Vietnam veteran.

At The Woodmark at Uptown, a special Veterans Day celebration was held to honor residents who also served.

“Everything we have here today, everything we have in America, is because of our veterans. If they hadn’t served, if they hadn’t signed that paper, if they hadn’t done the things they did to get us to where we are today, in our country, then you know it’s all about freedom, being able to be who you are and live the life you want,” said Amberly Viner, program manager for women veterans at the Department of Veterans Services.

Among the veteran residents are two female veterans – a rarity at that time.

The hope of these events rests on one thing:

“Just thank a veteran. Thank a veteran, recognize them, show them that support. A lot of them didn’t get that thank you when they got home,” Viner said.