Hundreds gather in downtown Wilmington for annual Veterans Day parade

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds of people lined Front Street in downtown Wilmington on Saturday for the annual Southeastern North Carolina Veterans Day Parade, kicking off a weekend of celebrations honoring the men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

Marching bands, bagpipes, motorcycles and American flags filled the streets as veterans, community organizations and supporters came together ahead of Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

For many veterans participating in the parade, the event was more than just a celebration. It was an opportunity to honor their fellow service members, remember those who never returned home and recognize the sacrifices made by those who served.

Retired Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Dwayne Bishop participated in the parade with the Shipwreck Harley-Davidson HOG Chapter.

“A brotherhood of military members, people that support the military, honoring the veterans, past and present. Also our fallen veterans that never made it home,” Bishop said.

Laurence Totten, a retired Navy operations specialist and fellow chapter member, said seeing so many people and organizations come together demonstrates the community’s appreciation for veterans.

“I know a lot of people around here, they have that same feeling. They love and support those that served our country and to have that camaraderie and togetherness means a lot,” Totten said.

The Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums Band also participated in the parade, just days after WWAY got a behind-the-scenes look at one of its practices.

For Pipe Major and Wilmington Police Sgt. Joshua Childress, the performance carried a deeply personal meaning.

Childress, who served in the North Carolina Army National Guard, used the occasion to remember fellow service members killed during his time in the military.

“June 29, 2009, we lost Adams, Bittiker, Baldeosingh and Ed Kramer to an IED blast with the 120th. And even though that was on June 29th, on Veterans Day, I’m always going to remember those four and others, folks we’ve lost,” Childress said.

While the parade celebrated military service, veterans also emphasized the challenges many face after returning home.

Jason Durdle, a retired Marine Corps lance corporal and executive officer of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 15-13, said the transition from military to civilian life can be difficult, particularly for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and service-related injuries.

“Coming from military life to civilian life where somebody’s not telling you what to do every single day, it’s difficult. Dealing with PTSD and other injuries and knowing where to get help,” Durdle said.

Durdle, Childress and Bishop all experienced combat firsthand and continue to carry the impacts of their service.

For Bishop, seeing hundreds of people turn out to recognize veterans served as a reminder that their sacrifices have not been forgotten.

“I gives me a better sense of comfort to see everybody coming out for this,” Bishop said.