Warm, sunny weather attracted a crowd Saturday to honor the country's veterans, and to remember the victims of Thursday's shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas.

Bill Johnson attends the St. Louis Veterans Day ceremony and parade every year with his wife, Lois. Johnson, who served in Korea and Vietnam, says this is the only time of the year that veterans get the recognition they deserve. He said his heart went out to the service men and women killed at Fort Hood.

The crowd observed a moment's silence in honor of the victims as the 26th annual ceremony began Saturday morning at the Soldiers Memorial in downtown St. Louis.

For honoree Robert Meeker, who enlisted in the Navy in August 1945 and retired as a major in 1972, the memories of serving in Korea and Vietnam flooded back as he spoke to the crowd.

"Young men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are as much veterans as is a World War II volunteer," said Meeker.

Mayor Francis Slay said the face of veterans is changing. This year, he said, 39 percent of veterans are senior citizens, and they should be given health care and other services they have earned.

"We must also make sure many of our younger vets receive the education and job training that they need to start a supporting career," he said.

As the ceremony wrapped up, veterans lined up in their vintage cars, trucks and tanks for the parade at 14th and Olive streets. Among the units were paralyzed veterans in wheelchairs, high school marching bands, Boy Scouts and the Budweiser Clydesdales.

More than 500 motorcyclists vroomed their way past the crowd. The crowd waved and thanked the veterans on the motorcycles for protecting them, while children jumped with excitement.

American Gold Star moms, too, paraded with photographs of their sons and daughters who lost their lives in service of their country.

"We are proud of you," cheered a woman in the crowd as the veterans marched by.