ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The streets were full of flashing lights, flags, and uniforms Monday morning, as the Veterans Day parade marched its way down Louisiana Blvd. in Albuquerque. The procession started at U.S.S. Bullhead Memorial Park and ended at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial about a mile away. "We are here for our freedom and what we stand for today. It's not a holiday. It's Veterans Day in honor of veterans we have lost, and who are missing," said Paul Espinoza, Honor Guard with American Legion Post 13. ‘Finding that one person is challenging’: Albuquerque balloon pilot searches for liver donor Veterans were also thanked at Sunset Mesa School. Children honored their own family members who serve in the military. "We let the kids walk across the stage with their adult, to be recognized and honored. It's something to be proud about, and we want them to understand that it's good for them to be proud of their family member and that work," said Sunset Mesa Elementary School President Alan Mask. Mask said the annual Veterans Day presentation has been happening for 17 years. They want to bring people together to honor veterans rather than treating it like any other day off.