PITTSBURGH -- Veterans Day is being remembered on Wednesday at hundreds of services and ceremonies in Pittsburgh and around western Pennsylvania.

While the sentiment "We can't thank you enough for what you've done," was echoed by many lining the day's parade route through downtown Pittsburgh, it didn't stop the city from trying.

Video: >Watch Ari Hait's Report Along The Parade Route

In Pittsburgh, the parade started near Mellon Arena on Centre Avenue and went down to Sixth Avenue, then headed left to Fifth Avenue, then to Wood Street before finally turning onto the Boulevard of the Allies.

Cpl. Robert Zollars, a Pittsburgh police officer, national guardsman and member of the 56-th Stryker Brigade, was selected to lead this year’s parade. Zollars recently returned from a several month tour of service in Iraq.

Thousands of people lined the Pittsburgh parade route on Wednesday, to show their support for those who risked so much.

"It gives you a warm feeling, knowing that the ones you see are here. But you always have to think about the ones who aren't here," one parade-goer told Channel 4 Action News' Ari Hait.

Slideshow - Photos From Pittsburgh's Veterans Day Parade

"They're fighting for our country, something I can't do. And it's wonderful. And I applaud and commend them all," said another attendee.

"It actually makes you tear up a little bit, knowing what they go through both physically and emotionally and God bless them," another person told Channel 4 Action News.

For the veterans who marched in the parade, seeing so many people on the streets is appreciated.

"The first time I went down these streets, I was flabbergasted. It was five, six deep down here, from corner to corner. Pittsburgh shows up for Veterans Day," one veteran told Hait.

And having one day a year where the county stops to say "thank you," means a lot to those who gave so much.

"Veterans Day is a meaning that what I did was well worth it," a veteran told Hait.

But don't try to tell Pittsburghers that they're doing anything special by being here. Every person Hait spoke with on Wednesday said saying thank you is the least they can do.

u local -- Share Your Photos From The 2009 Veterans Day Parade

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What's Closed?
All Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, state and federal offices are closed Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day.

Courts are also closed.

Pittsburgh Public Schools have the day off.

Regular mail will not be delivered, there will be limited collection runs, but Express Mail will be operating. More details...

Many banks are closed as well. Check with your local branch.

Port Authority bus and trolley service operates on a regular weekday schedule on Veterans Day. The Downtown Service Center on Smithfield Street will be closed Wednesday. Many bus routes will be detoured around the parade. Read more...

No parking signs are posted on the following streets:

• Crawford Ave. between Bedford & Centre (both sides)
• Centre Ave. between Crawford Ave. & Sixth Ave. (both sides)
• Sixth Ave. between Centre Ave. & Ross St. (both sides)
• Fifth Ave between Diamond St. & Wood St.
• Smithfield St between First & Oliver
• Wood St between First & Oliver
• Blvd. of the Allies between Smithfield St. & Commonwealth Pl. (both sides)
• Stanwix St between Ft Pitt Blvd and Liberty Ave
• Commonwealth Place
• Third Ave between Stanwix & Smithfield
• Fourth Ave between Stanwix & Smithfield
• Forbes Ave between Smithfield & Wood
• Honoring Veterans? Be Sure To Fly Flag Right Way

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Deployed and hospitalized members of the military will be able to make free phone calls on Veterans Day thanks to a Veterans of Foreign Wars program. For more info: VFW Gives Troops Free Talk Time on Veterans Day

A Welcome Home Veterans Employment Expo will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Hall at 4141 Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh. For more information please call 412-395-6022 or 412-954-5468 or e-mail: juanita.chapman@va.gov

Related Links:
News About Military Efforts Around The Globe
VFW.org
History Of Veterans Day

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