More than 100 people were on hand Thursday morning for a wreath-laying ceremony at Mill Creek Park in South Portland to honor those who served in the armed forces.

Among them was Kenneth Marston, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964-1967. Marston, 77, said he has participated in the annual South Portland event and Veterans Day parade ever since.

“It means everything,” he said of Veterans Day. “Everything I do is for the veterans, because if we didn’t do what we did, you wouldn’t be able to do what you do.”

The parade, which began on the campus of Southern Maine Community College and marched down Broadway to Mill Creek Park, featured an appearance by the Shriners, music from the South Portland High School band, vehicles from the South Portland police and fire departments, and floats from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The South Portland Veterans Day Parade turns the corner into Mill Creek Park on Thursday. (Photo by Sean Murphy of Spectrum News Maine)

Richard Carlson, 65, served at the local coast guard base when it was called Coast Guard Group Portland. He served for 30 years before retiring from active service and then started working as a civilian executive assistant to the Coast Guard’s executive commander. He has been serving in that capacity for the past 17 years, and has worked with the American Legion to coordinate the annual ceremony for the past 20 years.

“It symbolizes what veterans do for our city,” Carlson said.

He noted that the ceremony and parade were canceled last year due to the pandemic, but city officials gave them the green light this year.

“I was thrilled, because it’s a great day to come out and do this,” he said.

Ted Cook, who fought in the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army, marched in the parade before joining Marston in laying a wreath at a veterans monument in Mill Creek Park. He then saluted while the band played “Taps” and the national anthem.

“It means the world,” Cook, 91, said after the ceremony. “I enjoy doing this."