Thousands of residents lined the streets as the annual Veterans Day parade rolled through the middle of town Tuesday morning. The parade, which featured active military, veterans, military vehicles, a marching band, fire trucks and much more, began at Besse Park and finished at Town Hall.

At Town Hall, a celebration was held where Grand Marshal Steve Baptiste was honored and speeches were given by numerous military members and local figures.

"This is a day you honor the men and women who went to war for you, whether it was peacetime or war time," Baptiste said. "I told people in the past there are steps that I've climbed in my 75 years. A school dropout out of Wareham High School in 11th grade, I went airborne and became the man I am today."

Noting Baptiste's decades of contributions to his town and his country, School Committee Chairman Cliff Sylvia and School Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood came on stage after Baptiste's speech and awarded him with the high school diploma he clearly earned over the years.

"He served with honor and he continues to serve locally. Whenever you need anything Steve Baptiste is there," Sylvia said. "[Baptiste] made mention of the fact that he was a high school dropout, I think it's about time that we fixed that."

Taken by surprise, Baptiste said, "Thank you so much. Now I want to go to college."

Many other military members spoke in front of Town Hall, including Maj. Paul Barnett, who is a math teacher at Wareham High School.

Barnett asked for a moment of silence for three Wareham veterans who died in the past year and for whom the ceremony was dedicated to: Frank Carmichael, James Newman and Charles VanderStaay.

"These men were the catalysts, the advocates and ambassadors of veterans rights, soldiers support and compassionate caregiving," Barnett said. "Let us today stand tall for those who stood tall for us," he said.