By Keith Purtell

Phoenix Staff Writer

Kim Crissler, a Gulf War veteran and supervisor at the local office of the Disabled American Veterans says Veterans Day is a way to say thanks.

“I don’t think too many veterans would be looking for anything more than that,” he said. “Just a simple ‘Thank you.’”

More than 800 people are expected to participate in Saturday’s Veterans Day Parade. The parade will start with a pre-ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Muskogee Civic Center and the parade kicks off from there at 11 a.m. After the parade, at 12:30 p.m. in front of the civic center, there will be an official raising of the POW-MIA flag. Mayor John Tyler Hammons will make comments, and Rolling Thunder will perform the ceremony.

Dan Ivins, retired from the U.S. Air Force, is a national service officer for AMVETS (American Veterans), said the day is dedicated solely to veterans who fought for America’s rights and freedoms.

“Basically it’s for the recognition, and a way to show our gratitude for the sacrifices, including the daily sacrifices,” he said. “There are those who lost all, and those for whom being away was a sacrifice. The parade that we have is a local display of gratitude.”

Crissler said the event is also important for the public.

“There is a connection there with families who have loved ones who have served,” he said. “There is that feeling of being proud of their loved ones for serving. During the Veterans Day parade, it always surprises me how many don’t stand up and salute the flag when it comes by. You will always see a veteran stand up and salute the flag.”

Crissler said the local parade is a great recognition by the city, and the businesses, and the people who sponsor the event.

“It’s very heartwarming to see the young folk at the parade, not just scrambling all around to get the candy, but really watching in earnest of who’s coming by and what uniforms and the flags and everything,” he said. “It really is a nice tribute to veterans from all periods of service and all wars, and those who have served in the guard and the reserves. They don’t leave anybody out.”

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., will speak briefly at the pre-ceremony and acknowledge and honor Commander Ernest Edwin Evans, a native of Muskogee and the commander of the USS Johnston during World War II, and a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Evans left Muskogee at the age of 19 to enlist in the U.S. Navy, entering the Naval Academy and graduating with the Class of 1931. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his role commanding the USS Johnston, a destroyer, in the Battle off Samar on Oct. 25, 1944.

Boren chose to honor Evans in conjunction with the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s decision to erect a memorial in his honor on the grounds of the USS Batfish.