Several thousand people turned out for the Bowling Green Veterans Day Parade Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Photo by Joe Imel/jimel@bgdailynews.com)

On a day for honoring military veterans, one of the most honorable took center stage.

J.D. Williams, a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division in both Iraq and Afghanistan, navigated the Bowling Green Veterans Day Parade route Saturday morning in his wheelchair, with his wife and daughter following in the red Corvette convertible reserved for the parade’s grand marshal.

Williams, a Montana native who now lives in Woodburn, was selected for that title this year because of the sacrifices he made in combat and for the work he continues to do on behalf of veterans.

“Honestly, it’s just an honor to be selected (as grand marshal) with so many great men and women from this area who have served,” said Williams. “It’s a privilege to be in the parade.”

Williams, who lost both legs and his right arm when he stepped on a pressure-plate IED (improvised explosive device) during his tour in Afghanistan in 2010, may no longer wear the uniform, but he continues to serve.

He is the founder of a not-for-profit organization called Mohawk Outdoors, which helps combat veterans through outdoor activities such as hunting trips.

“A lot of combat veterans aren’t getting the help they need,” said Williams. “I partner with other veterans to try to help. We need to lower the suicide rate among veterans.

“Basically, before I got injured I was an avid hunter. I went through all the therapy at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, but the best care I got was through hunting and being outdoors. I forget that I’m injured when I’m doing that.”

Now Williams tries to help others cope with physical and emotional injuries through his nonprofit.

“One of the things these men and women are taught is selfless service,” he said. “They’re just grateful they had the opportunity to serve their country. Being able to hang around them is truly amazing.”

Events like Saturday’s parade are important, Williams said, to honor those who have served and are serving in the military.

“I have traveled to a lot of countries,” he said. “It makes you realize how great we have it in this country.”

A few thousand local residents lined the parade route that wound past Circus Square Park and Bowling Green’s downtown square, watching military veterans, Boy Scout troops, the 80 Corvettes driven by the Vets ‘n Vettes group and a band composed of members from all of Warren County’s city and county high schools among the parade’s 85 entries.

One spectator along College Street, Arthur Fisher, saluted Williams and other veterans as they passed. A New York City native who has lived in Bowling Green for 15 months, Fisher sported a “Vietnam Veteran” baseball cap.

“Even though I’m a civilian now, I give these veterans the respect they deserve,” said Fisher. “They risked their lives for our freedom and for those under oppression around the world.”

Fisher became teary-eyed as he talked about his experiences since moving to Bowling Green with his wife.

“Since I’ve been here, more people have thanked me for my service than at any time since I came home from the war,” he said. “There are a lot of friendly people here. I love this town.”

Spectators and parade participants young and old expressed similar thoughts about respect for the military.

Kiara Rager, a Warren Central High School senior and member of that school’s Junior ROTC Dragon Battalion, marched proudly in the parade and spoke of her newfound respect for the military.

“Working alongside two of the greatest men I know has made me understand what it means to be in the military,” she said, referring to WCHS JROTC instructors John Hurley and Keith Murphy. “It has made me realize how important veterans are and how much they have sacrificed for us.”

Both Rager and fellow Dragon Battalion member Anna Dim said their JROTC experiences have made them consider joining the military.

“JROTC has brought me out of my comfort zone and helped me learn leadership skills,” said Dim, a refugee from Myanmar. “Thinking about how our veterans have fought for our freedoms has made me want to pay back and honor them by joining the military.”

Among those watching the Dragon Battalion march by was U.S. Army veteran Carols Ellis, who estimates that he has seen every one of Bowling Green’s 17 Veterans Day parades.

“Every military campaign the U.S. has had is important,” said the 50-year-old Ellis, who served in Iraq during Desert Storm in 1990-91. “We have freedom because of our veterans and our current military.”

Ellis, supporting himself with a cane as a result of combat injuries, said: “Serving in the military was the most memorable highlight of my life. I got out in ‘91, and I have been to Veterans Day parades either here or in Barren County ever since.”