Veterans' Day Parade -- 2010....

Warning! Warning! This post will have a photo overload, but please read on....I promise it will not let you down :)

This past Saturday (November 6), Marc, Luke, and I attended THIS VETERANS' DAY PARADE in Wichita.

We went to this parade with my parents and my brother and his three kids -- Grace, Natalie, and Maddie. Unfortunately, my sister-in-law, Amber, had to work. So, she wasn't able to be at the parade (though she did join us later for lunch).

You might remember THIS POST from a year ago when we attended the 2009 Wichita Veterans' Day Parade.

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you might have realized that though we are not a military family, we are VERY supportive of our country's military personnel and all that they do for our freedoms. We're also EXTREMELY thankful for what our veterans have done for our country. My prayer is that we, as a family, always show that appreciation, and I also pray that we are teaching and showing Luke and our nieces the importance of what military personnel have done for our country.

Attending this Veterans' Day Parade is only a small token of our appreciation for what they do.

Anyways....

First, Marc did snap a wonderful photo of Luke and me...I'm putting this first on this blog post because not too often are there photos of Luke and me (I'm usually the one behind the camera).



The parade started out where we all stood up for the flag.



Then, personnel from our local air force base, McConnell, walked by -- also with flags. If you look closely in this photo, you can see a small child being pulled by her air force dad in the wagon -- VERY CUTE! (And Robin -- this photo is from you since this air force base did bring your family to Wichita at one point in time).



And then, many members of the Patriot Guard rode by on their motorcycles.





The funniest thing, though, was that Natalie (our niece) absolutely didn't like the noise from the motorcycles.



Luke, on the other hand, LOVED watching the motorcycles....You know, they have wheels :) He waved at many of the riders.





And, members of the local JROTC programs....





And, this one brought quite a few tears to my eyes -- a float with mothers and wives and other family members of fallen heroes....

As a mother, my heart just went out to them.



I enjoyed seeing some of the recipients of the Honor Flights program....

I love watching "older" veterans -- they have such a sense of pride for our country that I hope I replicate.



At one point in time, we caught Luke watching the parade with his hands folded -- as if he was praying. Perhaps that's what he was doing????



And finally -- several different types of military vehicles....







And, this tank was actually remote-controlled....Luke was most fascinated by it.



When the parade was over, we all headed over to CiCi's Pizza....By this time, my sister-in-law was finished working and was able to join us.

(I'm not sure where my mom was in this photo -- my guess would be that she was taking our niece, Natalie, to the restroom since I also don't see her in the photo).



Heading home, we could tell Luke was VERY tired and ready for his nap....We can tell by the redness in his cheeks. But, Luke, on the way home, was still very much into playing with Marc's hat.



And, Luke did this with his little cars (and a sippy cup) at his side in the carseat :)



What a fabulous tradition to start with our family!

Please honor some veterans this Thursday on Veterans' Day!