San Jose honors service members with 108th annual Veterans Day Parade

Everyone to the fore. I'm Heather Holmes. And I'm Alex Savage. We want to start in San Jose this afternoon where people line the streets today to pay tribute to current and retired U.S. service members on this Veterans Day. KTVU South Bay Report, Anne Rubin joins us now live with that commemoration. Anne. Yes, several blocks of downtown were closed as the parade wound its way through the streets. A good-sized crowd showed up to show their support for our veterans. Today, in honor of Veterans Day, the streets of San Jose were filled with pomp and circumstance. It's like a brotherhood. You know, you're all brothers and sisters. This parade, the largest in Northern California, has been running since 1918. But in recent years, when funding issues threatened its future, a grassroots effort ensured its survival. This is the 108th Veterans Day parade, one of the oldest in the nation. And I could not let that fail or stop. So I'm passionate about the sacrifices our men and women have made for this country. This year's Grand Marshal was Major General Jody Merritt, recently retired from the Air Force. Today we're celebrating that service in a community with a remarkable military heritage. A heritage that includes not just military installations, but also technological aid for our country. But families say we need to support veterans on more than just this day. The reason we're sitting here is because of all the men and women who Sacrificed, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice, some who made it back but still have not made it back. And veterans should want for nothing. They should come back, housing, medical care, whatever they need. There are more than 40,000 veterans in Santa Clara County, among them Raymond Perales, a Vietnam veteran. I usually try to come about every year, and today I just came down by myself. And there were Korean War veterans here, too, like 93-year-old Joseph Solano, who served on the USS Hollister. He was invited to be part of the parade this year. When they told me that I was going to be in the parade, it kind of frightened me a little bit. But in the end, he says it felt wonderful. He couldn't believe all the cheers, hugs, and handshakes he received. I kind of lost the words. It's beautiful. More than 80 different units participated in the parade today, including marching bands, military vehicles, and community groups. Heather, Alex.