A cold wind coming across the Ohio River kept the numerous flags representing the country, its armed forces and its veterans flapping noisily Saturday as they were carried past a group of soldiers who recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.

Members of Alpha Troop, a company in the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, were repeatedly saluted as veterans and supporters of those in uniform marched past the American Legion hall on the Owensboro riverfront for the annual Veterans Day parade.

"Owensboro is known within the 101st as the kind of city that supports its troops," said Capt. Sean Brown, commander of Owensboro's adopted Army unit. "The support we received was second to none."

The members of Alpha Troop were grand marshals for the parade, which saw a sparser crowd this year because of falling temperatures, cloudy skies and brisk winds.

Terry Stinson, chairman of the Owensboro-Daviess County Veterans Organizations Committee, said the weather did keep some people away, but he was pleased with the turnout.

"We really do appreciate those that came out and braved the cold with us," Stinson said.

All along the parade route, which stretched down Frederica Street from West Ninth Street before turning toward the RiverPark Center and down to Veterans Boulevard, veterans and their supporters offered salutes and applause.

The parade, without marching bands this year because of scheduling conflicts, featured JROTC units from city and county high schools along with Boy Scout troops and veterans organizations from Kentucky and Indiana.

James Goodall, a retired Army master sergeant, debuted a restored Vietnam War-era M-114 armored personnel carrier to go with the vintage vehicles and military transports.

Lt. Matthew Flora, a member of Alpha Troop, said he was pleased with the support the city showed its adopted soldiers during the year they were in Iraq before they returned in September.

"A year is a long time," Flora said. "The city of Owensboro has supported us a lot while we were in Iraq."

Keith Carlock and Leslie Fowlkes were bundled up against the cold while waving American flags at the passing paraders, which they say is an annual tradition.

"We love our veterans," Fowlkes said.