Trucks and trailers, motorcycles, and a colossal shopping cart circled the cul-de-sac.

Over 200,000 soldiers were trained as Army infantry replacements at Camp Fannin during World War II. Many would become casualties, and few would return to Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home decades later.

“It’s a full circle moment for them to come back here and be on the same property where they or their brother trained,” said activity assistant Tammy Walker. “That is history.”

The veterans’ senior living home held its annual Honor and Remember Veterans Day Parade on Friday. Trucks and trailers, motorcycles, and a colossal shopping cart circled the cul-de-sac. Children followed, waving red, white, and blue American flags and patriotic signs, and cheering after well-dressed goats and one braying donkey.

The Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler features 10 cottages, each housing 10 veterans. The home provides a unique setting with first-class long-term care for up to 100 residents, including 20 Alzheimer’s patients in a separate, secured unit.

The Veterans Land Board built the facility and has served East Texas veterans since 2012.

“We are bringing a veterans parade to the veterans,” Walker said. “They love it because it shows them they’re not forgotten.”

Service and sacrifice don’t start and stop during active military service. Therefore, civilians should honor veterans and their families for their entire lifetime of service, said U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, who was on hand for the parade Friday.

“The beginning and end dates on your DD214 didn’t establish that you were willing to serve and sacrifice for your country just during those times. The service and sacrifice, I’m certain, started before and continues after those times,” Moran said. “The sacrifice in your lives continues until that end day when God calls you home. And so our dedication to you and our commitment to you must also be that entire time.”

A DD214 is a document of the United States Department of Defense issued upon a military service member’s retirement, separation or discharge from active duty in the Armed Forces.

Veterans housed on Honor Lane come outside to watch a display of support and patriotism as a gift from the community in honor of Veterans Day.

The support from the community in the parade lets him and other veterans know their sacrifices are appreciated, Troy Turner said. Turner works with veterans as a representative for the Texas Veterans Land Board. He said, as a veteran himself, giving back to veterans is worth the effort.

“The East Texas area and the community support out here is just something phenomenal,” Turner said. “When we have veterans that have their hundred birthdays… we get postcards from all over the world.”

Only about 1% of the U.S. population will take the oath of enlistment to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, said Travis Gladhill, CampV executive director. Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor those men and women regardless of race, gender or creed.

“We owe them that honor. We owe them that debt of gratitude,” Gladhill said.

Having worn the uniform himself, extending appreciation to veterans is essential. Tyler and East Texas are among the most patriotic places in the U.S. Gladhill said the community’s support for the veteran population is outstanding.

“Here in Tyler and America, we have an opportunity. We’re free to thank these guys every day. Watkin-Logan’s is here to serve those who served us and gave us our freedom,” Walker said. “We live in the sweet spot of life because we get to be a part of that.”