photo by: Mike Yoder

Veterans pass through downtown Lawrence in the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.

Antique military vehicles and veterans in uniform made their way down Massachusetts Street Saturday for Lawrence’s Veterans Day Parade — a fitting tribute, spectators said, to those who answered their country’s call to service.

After opening ceremonies at the intersection of Seventh and Massachusetts streets, more than 50 entries traveled south along the parade route to South Park. Hundreds of spectators turned out, and the veterans were greeted with applause and calls of “thank you for your service.”

2019’s parade was the third since the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade Association revived the event after a nearly 50-year absence.

Lynn Metzger, the son of a World War II veteran, said he was sure the veterans in the parade and crowd appreciated the patriotic atmosphere.

“I’m here to honor my father,” he said amid a crowd of about 400 watching the opening ceremonies. “… He fought on the islands of Guam, Guadalcanal and Bougainville. He had a hard time. His leg got hit by a mortar shell. I’m proud of him.”

Metzger said his father, Marvin Metzger, put the war behind him when he returned to Lawrence in 1945, starting a family and opening the Motor In Garage. Although Marvin was never in a Veterans Day parade, Lynn said he would have appreciated the recognition.

“He didn’t talk much about the war until late in his life,” he said. “He opened up a little bit when he was in his 90s. He did an interview with the Watkins Museum. It’s like he wanted to get his experiences out there.”

About half a block away, Joe Alford said he, too, attended the parade to honor his father’s service in World War II. His father, also named Joe Alford, spent the last five months of the war in Europe in a German prisoner of war camp after his capture during the Battle of the Bulge.

“He only weighed 90 pounds when he was released,” Alford said.

Sandra Ruby, a University of Kansas graduate student in behavioral therapy from Fresno, Calif., said she was impressed by the number of entries and said the number of veterans in the parade gave added meaning to the celebration.

“It has great participation,” she said as a plane from the Kansas Air National Guard 190th Air Refueling Wing made a low flyover of the parade route. “That’s what makes Lawrence such a great place — the community participation. I like that all the veterans are riding on the floats. It gives historical context to Veterans Day.”

photo by: Mike Yoder

A group of veterans visit before participating in the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Army veterans ride a float through downtown Lawrence in the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A man waves a U.S. and POW/MIA flag for passing veterans as they pass during the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Shawn Nutt, an Eagle Scout from Olathe, plays his trumpet to kick off the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

American Legion Chaplain Eric Walther, Lawrence, is presented an honorary flag in a ceremony prior to the start of the 2019 Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, in downtown Lawrence. Walther was the grand marshal for the parade.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A veteran waves to the crowd as he rides in a car in the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A group of boys watch the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A couple drive their Metropolitan automobile in the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence. They were part of a contingent of cars representing the Antique Automobile Club of America.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Girl Scouts from Troop 1113 march in the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Air Force veterans ride a float in the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Navy veterans ride a float in the Lawrence Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.