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Seeing parades and other events that honor veterans is a common occurrence, but that shouldn't diminish the importance of these gatherings. Publicly celebrating military personnel is a great way to show that their commitment and sacrifice for their country is appreciated. People from all walks of life can take part in these celebrations, bringing communities together to salute the heroes in their midst.

Communities can host these events, and they can be organized around patriotic holidays or become local traditions in themselves. There's plenty of room for variation, and every town or city can salute its veterans in its own way. Here are two recent examples of this type of celebration in action:

Iowa State Fair parade salutes all military branches
The Des Moines Register recently reported from the Iowa State Fair, where a massive parade contained groups honoring veterans from many different branches of the military. The parade consisted of military bands and color guards, as well as delegations from Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters. Eight members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America joined the parade in wheelchairs, drawing applause from a crowd eager to thank them for their service.

The news provider noted that the Iowa State Fair is generally very supportive of the U.S. military. In fact, even when it shut down for four years during World War II, the grounds ended up helping the war effort, acting as a supply depot for the Army. These days, the annual parade follows the outer edge of the Iowa State Fair and lasts over an hour. The fair is a place where veterans often receive spontaneous thanks for their contributions.

Parades are a great way to show veterans their communities care about them.Parades are a great way to show veterans their communities care about them.

As far as events to honor vets go, this is a large-scale display. The Register noted that in addition to the color guards, bands and veterans organizations, many types of vehicles and horseback riders participate, as well as volunteers holding a massive U.S. flag – 20 feet by 38 feet. These patriotic displays should serve to reassure veterans that their contributions are close to people's hearts.

Communities of all sizes
While the Iowa State Fair is a major example of a parade to honor service members, these types of events can be held in small towns and cities with a great deal of success. The Post-Journal in Jamestown, New York, recently reported that the neighboring community of Randolph has held its first parade for Randolph Veterans Appreciation Day.

The news source explained that the gathering saw participation from veterans of conflicts from World War II to Iraq. The event concluded with a ceremony to honor the vets at the town's fire hall and was declared a success by organizers. Due to this positive reception in the parade's first year, it will soon become an annual event – Randolph aims to hold a second Veterans Appreciation Day next August. It's a positive sign that no matter the size of the community, chances are there are veterans living there, as well as groups and individuals ready to salute them.