CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It's said there are less than just one percent of the 16.4-million Americans who served during World War II who are still alive today.
Those who are part of the greatest generation fading from living history.
On Monday night Kingsville community members gathered to pay tribute to the brave men and women who served our country.
The Veterans Day Parade has become a longtime community tradition. The heartfelt event put on by the VFW Post 2375 and many others to honor the service and sacrifices of local heroes.
In the heart of downtown Kingsville, American pride was on display along Kleberg Avenue as families came out to give thanks on Veterans Day.
The parade stretched from the Kleberg County Courthouse all the way to the Maggie Salinas Pavilion!
A community united to shine a light on the bravery of the local men and women hometown heroes who served.
"Glad to see everybody coming out," said one attendee.
"Really feel it in a small town unlike you would in a big city," said another.
Remembering those who gave all, but on the back of one of the parade trailers making its way down the street, a group of grateful Vietnam veterans like Ambrosio Salazar.
"Of course we are always sad about the ones that stayed behind and the ones who weren't able to make it, especially from Kingsville because we had a whole bunch of them a lot of my old friends too," Salazar said.
For Rene Ramirez drafted into the Army in 1969, they're memories that seem like yesterday.
For some, even nightmares that still return more than 50 years later.
"We don't realize that freedom isn't free, someone died for it, someone suffered for it, a lot of veterans died out there," Ramirez said.
Now carrying the torch passed down from those who served during the greatest generation.
"We're the old folks now, yes I remember growing up, the old folks were WWII you know," said Ramirez.
Vowing to never let the sacrifices made be forgotten, a lesson for the next generation - keeping their own memories of loved ones alive.
Members of the HM King High School JROTC carried photos of family members who served.
"This is my great-great grandpa he served in Vietnam and died in Vietnam," said Alexis Espino.
"This is my grandpa, he served for 20 plus years in the Navy and WWII" said Arthur Newton.
A reminder, and a heartfelt thank you to those who fought to protect our freedoms.