HIGH POINT – Janie Ervin made her annual pilgrimage to downtown High Point Sunday afternoon to enjoy a parade and honor her country.

Ervin, joined by friend Eleanor Wonce, found a spot near First Baptist Church to take in the 26th annual High Point Veterans Day Parade, which featured more than 200 units and drew onlookers to Main Street from Green Drive to Montlieu Avenue. “I come every year,” Ervin said while waiting for the festivities to begin.

The parade holds special meaning for Ervin as well – one of her grandchildren is enrolled in a high school ROTC program and plans to go into the military reserves.

A mixed crowd of older adults, individuals and families clapped as veterans, military units and ROTC detachments marched along Main Street. Many waved small, cloth American flags handed out to the crowd before the parade.

In previous years, weather for the parade has ranged from beautiful conditions like late summer to brutal cold like the heart of winter. Fortunately, this year’s parade fell on a picture-postcard afternoon, with warm temperature and sunny skies.

The parade is the brainchild of 82-year-old retired Marine Jack Austin, who launched it in 1984 as virtually a one-man show on his bright red motorcycle, riding up and down Main Street. Today, the High Point Veterans Day Parade has grown into one of the largest in the state.

pjohnson@hpe.com | 888-3528