CHARLOTTE, N.C. — People from all across the Charlotte area are remembering our veterans who gave their lives to protect our freedom.
A local charity that supports military families held a special event for all families to enjoy this Memorial Day.
With American flags in hand, people of all ages attended the Patriot Festival at Symphony Park.
"I'm a veteran, three years in the Navy," said Mike Ackerman. Ackerman said he came to meet new friends and fellow veterans.
"We have a lot of stories to tell. That's what keeps us together," he said.
The highlight of the event came as members of the Ranger Group Veterans Parachute Team flew through the sky.
"It makes you feel so good when you land and people come out and they say, 'Thank you for your service.' It means so much to our military," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Elliott, who led the team.
Elliott spent 25 years in the Army, including time with the 83nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.
He now travels the country to pay tribute to our military servicemen and woman.
"Right now, while we're here having a great time, our soldiers are over there making sure we're free," Elliott said.
Nine Family Focus is one of the sponsors of the Patriot Festival.
The Patriot Charities raises money to help other nonprofit groups that help military families, like the USO and Wounded Warrior project.
WSOC
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