ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council hosted the 25th Annual City of Orlando Veterans Day Parade Saturday in downtown Orlando.

The Veterans Day Parade is one of Mayor Dyer's signature events.

This year's theme was "A Legacy of Loyalty and Service” to honor the men and women of the armed forces.  

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council hosted the 25th Annual City of Orlando Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Orlando.

  • The opening ceremony took place at 11 am in Orange Avenue near Central Boulevard. The parade began at Robinson Street and Orange Avenue, turning left on Central Boulevard, left on Rosalind Avenue and ending at Robinson Street.

  • It featured a band playing at Orange Avenue, several local elected officials, veterans, and community organizations.

  • Hundreds gathered along both sides of the roads with flags to salute the veterans and show their support.

The parade started at 11 a.m. and it featured a band playing at Orange Avenue, several local elected officials, veterans, and community organizations.

The opening ceremony took place at Orange Avenue near Central Boulevard. The parade began at Robinson Street and Orange Avenue, turning left on Central Boulevard, left on Rosalind Avenue and ending at Robinson Street.

Army Veteran James Forsberg served in the second infantry division for three years.

“I went to Germany, Korea, and three or four different places in the states. Second infantry division was my last unit overseas in Korea,” Forsberg said.

Since he moved to Orlando, he hasn’t missed a parade. “I come from Rhode Island. I've been here since 2003 and I’ve been to every parade. And I just love it. I get choked up thinking about all my friends that are out here,” Forsberg said.

Hundreds gathered along both sides of the roads with flags to salute the veterans and show their support.

“You know, we have to support them because without them, we don't know where we are, and they are who we are today. So, we need to support them. And with our support, they will strive even stronger,” resident Shalima Mohammed said.

Forsberg says he always sits at the same spot, since 2003, where he gets a chance to say hello to everyone in the parade and show his pride as a U.S. Veteran.

“This is my country and I love it here. I took an oath to raise my right hand, and I’ve never taken that oath back. So, I still defend this country,” Forsberg said.