AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin and Military Veterans Empowerment Network held their 69th annual Veterans Day Parade, marching from the Congress Bridge to the State Capitol.

Veterans Day Parade in downtown Austin

Local perspective:

Master Sgt. Tommie Pernell, who watched the parade, joined the military in 1981.

" I actually joined the military on a dare and just to prove that I can do certain things that people told me I couldn't do," he said.

What Pernell thought would be a couple of years in the military turned into more than three decades.

"I had a lot of good opportunities. I saw the world. I met a lot of great people from around the world, and I had a great position. I was an instructor, and just had a great time," he said.

He honorably retired in 2012.

"My worst day of

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