Hundreds of people packed the streets of Charleston for one of the largest Veterans Day celebrations in the state. Marine Corps Veteran Jimmy Means of South Charleston held his young granddaughters in one hand, an American flag in the other.

"I want the grandkids to grow up and know what this is all about," Means told MetroNews.

That's also important to Margie Stockton of Charleston. She lost her brother in WWII and now two of her great-nephews are serving their country in Afghanistan.

"I just think it's important for our young people today to know the sacrifice that was made that we can have the freedom to have the parades,” she said.

Tracy Taylor, a senior at Riverside High School, relished her role as part of the school's Jr. ROTC Color Guard for the Veterans Day celebration in downtown Charleston.

"For me to be able to carry this flag means so much to me. I feel so honored to be able to do this today,” Taylor said.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Brigadier General Eric Vollmecke, the chief of staff for the West Virginia Air National Guard. He praised those who have served their country with dignity and honor. "Veterans you have done your duty to your families, to your communities, to you fallen comrades and to your country." Vollmecke told the crowd, whether veterans served in wartime or peace time, they're all heroes.