CORVALLIS — There was definitely a chill in the air, and fresh snow and ice on the ground, but that didn’t stop the community of Corvallis from holding their annual Veterans Day Parade -- and a good portion of the community came out to show their support.
Main Street was lined from the high school on one end to Woodside Cutoff on the other to watch a group of roughly 40 military men and women from many branches over many decades march in honor of Veterans Day.
“It’s just so important to honor our American heritage and honor our veterans, and rain or shine, I’ve been down here when it’s been blowing and cold and snowing and people show up anyway," Corvallis resident Jenny Hoffman said.
Among those in attendance, were Corvallis School kindergarten through eighth grade students, many of whom were shouting "U.S.A." as the veterans marched by.
“It’s so good to have these veterans be role models for our students so that they are able to grow up and know what a veteran is and how they keep our country safe and protect our freedom," Corvallis Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Pool told MTN News.
Wendy and Dennis Linehan -- both US Air Force veterans who have lived in the Bitterroot Valley for a few years -- they say that in all their years, they’ve never seen the kind of support they have found here.
“The thing that amazes me the most is that the kids here are so in tune with it. I’ve never lived anywhere where you see the turnout. Everybody was so appreciative," Wendy said.
That overwhelming support wasn’t lost on Dennis Linehan, nor any of the other veterans who marched on the icy streets of Corvallis on Tuesday morning.
It's a unique bond that’s created between young kids who truly understand the sacrifices for freedom made by those who are one, two, and three generations older than they are.
The veterans also have an appreciation for the younger generations grateful for what they’ve been through.
“It means a lot to me, just marching down the parade route and seeing the kids on the side, watching them applaud and salute," Dennis said. "I sometimes think I’m pretty tough, but that brings a tear to my eye.”
