WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) — Veterans, families and community members gathered in Wauwatosa Saturday morning to honor those who served in the U.S. military ahead of Veterans Day.

The Wisconsin Veterans Day Parade stepped off in Wauwatosa's Village District, with veterans marching and riding along State Street as crowds lined the route to recognize their service and sacrifice.

Veterans Day is observed nationally on Nov. 11.

Chris Reske, who served during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, told CBS 58 the day is an opportunity to recognize both those who returned home and those who did not.

"Well, for us, we sign something on a dotted line, not knowing if we're going to come back or not," Reske said. "And the people that did get to come back and the ones that didn't, you get to celebrate them and appreciate everything they went through."

This year's parade focused on awareness and the importance of connecting veterans with the support and resources available to them as they transition back to civilian life.