Fort Worth celebrates Veterans with thanks and free meals
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As the annual Veterans Day Parade marched through downtown Fort Worth, people along the route had plenty of reasons to stop and say thank you to the men and women who served.
For Sara Mir, the day was personal.
"Thank You, Thank You," Mir said as she greeted veterans along the parade route.
Her gratitude comes from a family history of military service.
"My grandfather was a lieutenant colonel and fought in World War II. And my brother was a part of the Marines," Mir said.
But her biggest reason to celebrate was nearby. Her son, Ryan Parra, is a junior at Paschal High School and a member of the school's Junior ROTC staff, supervising students participating in the parade.
"Oh, it brought so much special meaning to me," Mir said.
The parade brought together veterans, active-duty military members, city leaders and families of all ages, with marching bands from several North Texas school districts adding to the celebration.
While the parade served as a reminder of the sacrifices made to protect America's freedoms, another Fort Worth business found its own way to show appreciation. At Chef's Corner, veterans received a free chicken-and-waffles meal, the restaurant's most popular menu item. It's the second year the restaurant has offered the Veterans Day giveaway. Co-owner Alfred Brooks, an Air Force veteran, says it's his way of giving back to those who served.
"I just want to be part of the celebration and the blessing to give back to the people that have given so much to this country," Brooks said.