People lined the streets of downtown Vicksburg on Tuesday waiving flags, singing patriotic songs and thanking veterans.

About 250 people gathered in the war memorial rose garden Tuesday on Monroe Street for the annual reading of the World War I poem “In Flanders Field” and a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the county’s veterans.

“Most Americans profess to love our veterans, especially on Veterans Day and Memorial Day,” said Col. Marshall D. Banks, interim command executive officer of the 412th Engineering Command and the programs featured speaker. “It’s important to remember that veterans have been protecting us 365 days a year.”

Banks said it is important to remember military service members from eras past and the men and women who are currently fighting ISIS, which is “every bit as evil in their intentions,” as the Nazis.

The program also included a flyover of World War II era planes by the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, a 21-gun salute by the 412^th Engineer Command and a number of patriotic and spiritual musical selections.

A parade earlier in the morning was much more sparsely attended with groups clustered together up and down Washington Street.

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Freddie L. Ford was proudly dressed in his camouflage military jacket and beret as he sat on a stool at the corner of Washington and Veto streets, wondering where the crowd was.

“Some people just don’t get into the military like they should,” said Ford, who is a Vietnam War veteran. “They think because they didn’t serve, there’s nothing in it for them, but they’re wrong.”

Cody McKellar, who was standing just south of Ford agreed. McKellar said he never served in the military but had great respect for veterans.

“These guys need people to show that we care about them and are thankful for what they’ve done for us,” McKellar said.

The sacrifices made by members of the armed forces and their families are immense, said Percy Strothers, a World War II veteran who rode in the parade and arrived early for the wreath-laying.

Strothers recounted being on a beach in France after D-Day and watching as a German fighter plane killed 20 of his comrades.

“Those guys who went over there, they deserve this and more. This is a very important day,” he said.