HAMPTON — In an area with so many active and former military personnel, it can almost seem as if celebrating their service is a given.
But Hampton’s first Veterans Day Parade, organized at the behest of outgoing Mayor Donnie Tuck, served as a collective “thank you for your service” that did not go unappreciated.
Robert Brezinski, 75, who served in the Air Force from 1969-73, sat with wife Pamela, daughter Heidi and granddaughter Lauralynn, 16, to take in the parade. Near the end, a group of elementary school kids aboard a fire truck spotted his veteran’s hat and gave him a salute. Heidi said the gesture, more than any other that morning, touched her father’s heart.
“It brought tears to his eyes, it brought tears to our eyes,” Heidi said. “It’s a feel-good moment to see veterans being recognized.”
The Brezinskis typically travel to a small town in Pennsylvania, where Robert’s best friend lives, to attend a Memorial Day ceremony each year. Heidi, 48, said their family has a “big heart” for Fort Monroe and it was nice to have an event to attend in their hometown featuring local military organizations.