[darrels joy]

A Deeper Appreciation
By CAL BLETHEN
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC


Jamming the sunny sidewalks Thursday, they cheered everything from soldiers and Cub Scouts to Harleys and Humvees.

Veterans Day just seemed to hit a little closer to home this year.

"This is good to see as many people here as there are," said Al Harleman, a 75-year-old retired Navy pilot who stood among the crowd that lined Yakima Avenue.

The throng, most agreed, was among the largest Veterans Day turnouts in years.

Harleman believes the increased interest is simple: Given the events of recent years, people care more about supporting troops serving overseas. And with numerous local service people in Iraq and other treacherous zones, emotions are running deep.

"With the times being what they are, (troops) need all the support they can get," Harleman said.

Mary Kay Velikanje, watching the Yakima parade with her two sons, agreed. She was there to watch another of her sons march, and she felt she needed to offer support.

"Whether you agree with what's going on or not, we need to support our troops," she said. "That's the big reason we're here today."

Veterans Day ? which began as Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918 ? drew numerous other families to events around the Yakima Valley to honor the sacrifices America's military personnel have made for their country.

For some of the younger kids, though, it was all about the candy ? which a few participants threw into the crowd.

But not 10-year-old Omar Islas of Union Gap, who said, "To me, Veterans Day is the most important day of the year."

Islas, whose father is a retired Army veteran, was there with his uncle and two brothers. He said he likes Veterans Day because he can show vets like his dad that they are appreciated.

Jo Porter, a 60-year-old grandmother, showed up with her daughter and two grandkids, hoping to instill in them respect for veterans.

"We're trying to get the kids involved, to make sure they are trying to honor them, too," Porter said.

Her 8-year-old grandson, Trevor Tuttle, said his favorite part of the day was receiving a flag as a gift. He was hoping to see a tank, his grandmother said.

In addition to Yakima's parade, special events took place in Ellensburg, Grandview, Mabton, Prosser, Sunnyside and White Swan.


SANDY SUMMERS/Yakima Herald-Republic
Karen Bayless, a member of the Daughters of American Revolution, carries a flag Thursday in the Veteran's Day Parade in Yakima. One of the biggest crowds in years lined downtown streets for this year's annual event.