ROANOKE RAPIDS — Barbara Crumpler of Roanoke Rapids arrived early to find a place on the Avenue Sunday for the eighth annual March of Patriots.

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“I am very patriotic,” she said holding a small flag. “My father was in World War II in the Battle of the Bulge. He was all over Germany and France. My brother was in the service.”

He wasn’t sent to Vietnam, she added.

“We’re just patriotic people,” Crumpler said. “I believe in what they do to fight for our people.”

Her granddaughter had just gotten back from serving in Iraq. “I’m real proud of her. The Lord blessed her and brought her home,” she said.

With four generations of her family in the military, Veterans Day means a lot to her.

“It is a time to honor those who have gone on, those who have fight for us and those fighting for us now,” Crumpler said. “It’s all about freedom and it is a way to show respect for those who have served.”

Leading the march down Roanoke Avenue to Veterans Park was the Color Guard from the Sons of the American Revolution. Afterward, a  ceremony was held in the park.

Roanoke Rapids Mayor Drewery Beale told those in attendance, “We should never forget.”

Beale added, “We are able to assemble because a price has to be paid ... We should never forget the price they’ve paid.”

Throughout the event, the names of local veterans and active military duty personnel were read.

Army Master Sgt. Bonnie Jones was the featured speaker and reminded everyone veterans risked their lives so people of America could live in peace and be free.

“This country has been blessed by generations of brave men and women so their fellow Americans can enjoy the fruits of liberty,” she said. “Veterans embody everything that has made this country great.”

Jones said Veterans Day is a day to look at your neighbor, co-worker, parents or sibling and just say thank you.

“A day to say we really thank you for jumping in when the going gets tough,” she said.

Jones urged those present to reflect on history and remember freedom is not free.

“It cost blood, sweat and tears,” she said. “And as a veteran myself, I am proud to be here and share this time and not take for granted this country. So thank a veteran for preserving this way of life.”

Beverly Smith attended the event in honor of her son, Timothy Ryan Smith, who is serving in Navy in the Middle East. He has been deployed since November of 2008 and works in the aviation support equipment technician. Smith carried two pictures of her son and showed them proudly to everyone.

“I was hoping there would be more people here,” she said. “I am happy to see the people who showed up.”