WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Southeast North Carolina veterans hosted their second annual Veterans Day parade downtown on Saturday.

They said participation has tripled to almost 1,500 people since the inaugural parade last year.

Dan Higgins, Veteran and Parade Co-Founder, said when veterans first came back from overseas they didn't get the recognition they deserved.

"It means a lot, not only to me, but to all the other people that have served," said Higgins. "I think they, like I said, deserve the recognition, and to be able to have all these people honor us, and be out here to support us and what we did -- fantastic."​

This is a new tradition for veterans in downtown Wilmington, but Higgins said they plan to keep the parade going for as long as they can.