Downtown Manhattan hosts parade along Poyntz avenue

Manhattan residents honored American veterans and current military in the Riley County Veterans Day Parade Thursday.

Sponsored by the Flint Hills Veteran's Coalition, this year's celebrations were dedicated to the Honorary Grand Marshal, Col. Dick Jepson, who passed away in August.

"Dick, who was a veteran of World War II, was a founder of the coalition, and a main driving force in putting up the armed forces memorial in front of the Riley County Courthouse," said Bevin Landrum, military community liaison for Manhattan. "He was planned to be the Grand Marshal of the parade this year. He certainly was a key factor in starting this day. He will be greatly missed."

Jepson served on the committee that started the annual parade and celebration in Manhattan, and was the chair of the coalition from 1993-2002.

The coalition honored veterans and active military Thursday with various celebrations.

"The celebrations are to honor veterans and are another opportunity to bring local active duty military at Fort Riley together with the community, our local veterans and ROTC Army and Air Force cadets from K-State," Landrum said. "It is a chance to bring all those groups together once a year in a show of support of our veterans."

The day started with a biscuit and gravy breakfast at VFW Post 1786 at 7 a.m. The annual parade down Poyntz Avenue started at 9:30 a.m. and featured military from Fort Riley, the K-State marching band and students from local elementary, middle and high schools.

"Before Veterans Day, we have presenters give presentations in the local elementary schools," Landrum said. "We invited them to participate; there were well over 2,000 children marching in the parade. We are teaching them patriotism and respect for our veterans."

The parade audience included elementary school students, veterans, active soldiers, families and K-State students.

"I really liked the parade because it shows that we appreciate everything our soldiers do," said Saraya Penner, freshman in hotel and restaurant management. "I saw a little boy marching along with the soldiers who were walking in the parade, and it was really cute. I am so thankful for all that our soldiers do for us."

Following the parade, a ceremony and luncheon was held at Manhattan City Hall. The ceremony featured a music program by Lee Elementary School, announcements of local essay, poster and patriotism contests and a keynote speaker, retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Romig. Romig, currently the dean of law at Washburn University, is a native of Manhattan and a graduate of K-State.

"We generally ask the commanding general at Fort Riley to be the keynote speaker, but the First Infantry Division Headquarters unit is currently in Iraq," Landrum said.

In his speech, Romig thanked the veterans and those still serving in the military.

"Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to our veterans whose service has spread across each decade," Romig said. "Our veterans were there when our country needed them in major wars such as World War I and II, and in guerilla wars such as Korea. Others stood by ready to serve the needs of our country."

The Riley County Veterans Day Parade and celebration has a 16 year history in Manhattan. According to the Flint Hills Veteran's Coalition website, the Manhattan celebration originated Nov. 11, 1992, with the dedication of a new commemorative plaque outside of the Riley County Courthouse, and the first ever Veterans Day Parade in Manhattan.

Since then, Landrum said, it has been a day to honor veterans and those who are currently serving in the military.

"They stand on the wall to keep us safe when no one else does. They, as one percent of the population, take the burden on their shoulders so we have the ability to vote and the freedom of speech while others go to fight," Landrum said. "They are the shining example of everything that is great in our country."