Dozens of groups participate in Veterans Day parade in Indianapolis

The annual Veterans Day parade kicked off in Indianapolis Monday with dozens of groups marching in the event. Participants traveled around the American Legion Mall. 

The parade started blocks away from Helping Veterans and Families, or HVAF, where a fire recently resulted in nearly 50 veterans being displaced.

Steve Bartley rode in the parade with the Avon American Legion Riders and said supporting fellow veterans is vital.

"I think our legion gave around six to eight thousand dollars to rebuild that, so it’s just an ongoing fundraising and giving back," Bartley said.

Bill Thaling, a Navy veteran from Bloomington, said he's recently experienced homelessness.

“Seems like there’s a lot of things going on that’s not too much to do with democracy, and this does,” Thaling said.

Indianapolis has more acres dedicated to honoring veterans than any other city in the United States. It also has a great number of memorials, second only to Washington D.C.

Vietnam Veteran Edward McFarland keeps a tattered picture of himself in service.

“Well I’m still alive, I’m not dead yet, but I tell you one damn thing, I’ve outlived everybody,” McFarland said.

A ceremony and flyover was also part of the Veterans Day celebrations in downtown Indianapolis.