Honoring our veterans - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 47) -- Volunteers recognized Veterans Day at the Rochester International Event Center.

This is the 12th year for the event organized by volunteers from the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial committee, the DAV, the Civil Air Patrol and POW/MIA Riders Association,

"It means more than I can really express," said Vietnam veteran Wayne McCardy.

"Many people died for this country, for a great cause and I'm just here to thank every veteran for everything they've ever done, and all I've got to say is God bless the veterans and God bless America," said McCardy.

Veterans Day holds a special place in McCardy's heart as his and many others welcome home was not so welcome.

"When we came home from Vietnam, Americans really didn't like us very much, but those days are gone and young people are thanking us every day for our service and we appreciate that," said McCardy.

The appreciation for his service was felt this Veterans Day.

"Many of my family and friends sent me texts thanking me for my service," said McCardy. "I just can't express how that makes me feel, just wonderful, just thankful for that."

Thankful for the freedoms that our veterans and active duty military help preserve.

"You look around the world and see the people that don't have those freedoms and how much they'd like to have them and what they do to get them," said McCardy.