NORTHAMPTON — Tom Pease, a member of the color guard at Tuesday’s Veterans Day Parade in Florence, had the most accurate weather report of the day when he said from the microphone that it was a, “Brisk, cold, New England morning, but what can you expect.”

But the weather didn’t keep away more than 100 paradegoers who sacrificed an hour of personal comfort to honor those who were willing to serve their country and give the ultimate sacrifice.

“I came out to honor my favorite veteran, my partner Will,” said PJ Jones, pointing to her husband Will Morin. “But we stand for all veterans.”

Morin, a Desert Storm veteran, served a total of nine years, first from 1976 through 1979, then again from 1989 until 1994. He added that several of his family members also served in the military.

“Service means showing ultimate respect for your country and honor for your country — to be willing to stand up for what you believe in, and some of us die,” said Morin. “We all know when we take the oath that’s a chance.”

Tamara Bowman was out with her three young children on Main Street in Florence.

“We love our town, our community, and these guys love a parade, and they know it’s a meaningful day. So we’re like, ‘you know what, we’re gonna go out in the cold,'” she said.

Bowman continued, saying that, “I tell them [my children] it’s a huge sacrifice and that today it’s a big deal to show support and that it’s important to have the beautiful life they have. It’s important to preserve it.”

The parade began at the Florence VFW on Meadow Street and ended at Trinity Park. Paradegoers along the way were greeted by several vintage vehicles, including a Chevy Impala hot rod and Look Park’s Molly the Trolly.

But there were also several throwback military vehicles. These included a 1948 Jeep that had been donated to the Northampton Veterans Council, and a 1953 Dodge M37.

Perhaps the most unique military vehicle was an 1969 American Sprinkler M274 that had been used in the Tet Offensive, one of the deadliest events of the Vietnam War. The vehicle is essentially a platform with wheels that was used to distribute utilities in the hills of Vietnam.

Marchers included young people with the Boys and Girl Scouts, representatives from Cooley Dickinson Hospital, the Northampton Elks Lodge, and Look Park’s security pick up truck.

Further along the parade route, Jake Martin watched with his two young daughters, teaching them to honor those who have served.

“Anyone who’s willing to put their life on the line, to take a bullet for this country, deserves that respect no matter who they are, where they come from. And that’s what I want to make sure,” he said.

Vietnam veteran Patti Champion was on a recumbent trike, a bike adapted for people with disabilities, riding behind her daughter Bear Champion.

Patti, who served in the Air Force, was part of the less than a percent of troops who were women and served during the Vietnam War. She served as a librarian.

She said she enjoyed her experience in Vietnam, which is where she met her husband who was a reconnaissance navigator.

Once the parade had fully formed at Trinity Park, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra made a Veterans Day Proclamation that spoke of the continued service the people of Northampton have given to their country.

Also in attendance were several members of the Northampton City Council, including Alex Jarrett, Garrick Perry, Stan Moulton and Deborah Klemer, as well as local law enforcement officials.

State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, braved the windy cold without a hat, and Mark Ames, deputy assistant register at Massachusetts Trial Court, also marched in the parade.

“We bow our heads in thankfulness for victories you have granted us, and those people who have united to stamp out evil and aggression and greed,” said Vietnam veteran Russell Warriner, praying to open the ceremony that concluded with a three-volley salute followed by “Taps” bugle call.

The parade’s guest speaker was Casey Fowler, who served four years in the U.S. Navy during the early 1990s and is a nurse practitioner at Colley Dickinson Hospital. She said that while she was never deployed to a war herself, her mission is oriented toward giving better health care access to those who have been battered by the experience of war.

“When I raised my hand and took the oath to serve, I did not fully understand the journey I was beginning,” said Fowler during her address. “Like many who have served, I learned quickly that the military is more than just a job. It’s a community built on trust, sacrifice and shared commitment to something greater than us.”

She continued, saying, “I saw courage, commitment, and strength that came not from rank or title, but from unity and purpose.”