I love Vicksburg. I’m proud to live here. Seldom am I disappointed by the actions of our government or our citizens.

But every year there occurs an event during which I am ashamed to call myself a resident of this city. It’s the annual Veterans Day parade. While the Mardi Gras parade, the various high school parades, the Christmas parade, and others, draw hundreds of spectators, the Veterans Day parade is attended by a mere sprinkling of the patriotic of this community.

Folks, if there is one group of people to whom we owe our very existence, it’s our military, and it is best exemplified by our veterans. Honor the people who have kept us free by attending the Veterans Day parade on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Malcolm Allred

Vicksburg