Veterans honored with parade in Media, Pa.

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- One of the largest and best-known Veterans Day parades in the tri-state area stepped off Friday morning in Delaware County.

Veterans Day, November 11th, was first known as Armistice Day. It marked the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month back in 1918 when the Great War, which we now call World War I, ended.

The holiday has always been important in Media.

More than a dozen bands took part in this year's edition of the parade, which stepped off at 11 a.m.

People packed the sidewalks for this community's traditional "thank you" to those who, as members of the U.S. armed forces, have served and defended this country.

Spectators applauded and saluted vets who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

"It just feels American," Karen Talarico of Aston, Pa. told Action News. "We all should be very grateful to them. And I think parades like this, having people come out in

force to give their support, gives them a lot of feedback."

Also in the crowd Friday was 91-year-old Howard Turner, who, as a 19-year-old solider, fought his way through Italy against the German army. Why was it important for him to be here?

"I'm honoring the rest of the guys who were there too," he replied. "Everybody... if you were in the service, you deserve the credit."

A ceremony honoring all veterans followed the parade on the steps of the Delaware County Courthouse.