Veterans Day tradition continues in VB

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Millions of Americans marked this Veterans Day with parades and other events as a salute to our nation's veterans.

In Hampton Roads, a region rich with military presence, there are many Veterans Day celebrations.

One of the largest and most popular is the Tidewater Veterans Day parade in Virginia Beach. The City has been hosting the parade since 1970.

Photos: Veterans Day 2012

The 2012 Grad Marshal was Earl W. Timmons, past president of the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations.

Photos: Virginia Beach Veterans Day Parade 2012

The sound of marching bands, from the Army, Navy and local schools, filled the air on a beautiful Monday morning.

"It's awesome that people are thinking about our servicemen, our veterans," Ivy Stoliker said. "They've really done a lot. A lot have given their lives. they've come back injured or whatever. They've done a lot."

Following the parade, a ceremony took place at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial, which included a wreath laying and a flyover with aircraft from the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach.

"It's not the Medal of Honor winner that did one great deed," Navy veteran Mark Monaghan said. "It's all the little things that make the aircraft carrier work. The battleships that sail, the supply clerk, the yeoman... everybody."