Thousands Honor Houston-Area Veterans

HOUSTON - It's been an emotional Veterans Day. Wednesday marks the first military holiday since a gunman attacked our soldiers just six short days ago.

Gathered on the steps of city hall, they gathered.

"To honor those who are serving right now," said Danny Martinez, himself an Army veteran. "To pay respects to those who have passed on."

And to mark a day that became a staple of American glory 90 years ago.

"It's pride. It's everything you would say about America. Pride, love of country, Love of God," said Helen Martinez, whose son James left the service this past May.

This Veterans Day, something is different. It comes just six days after the attack on fort hood and just one day after the post held an emotional memorial service for the 13 soldiers killed in the rampage.

Houston mayor bill white acknowledged the attack during this afternoon's ceremony.

"It was unusual that we see deaths on a U.S. base," said White. "But shall we never take the sacrifice made in the field everyday by veterans, now and in the past as being something routine."

Riley Taylor sat in the crowd.

"He's two and I just thought it was a good time for him to start finding out about these things," his grandmother said.

While riley smiled and waved his new flag from his stroller, his grandmother cried.

"We have brave men and women that everyday go out, and we don’t think about them. And in just a second they're gone."

High school bands played on the streets of downtown Houston. Veterans waved at a crowd of people waving signs that read 'thank you.'

Three-year-old Braden Smith took it all in from his perch smack in the middle of Walker Street.

He was witnessing the largest parade ever held in Houston for Veterans Day.