Earlier this week, organizers of the annual Veterans Day program at Memorial Stadium called on the community to show support for the fighting men and women who answered the call of duty.

Friday, when the ceremony began, they were not disappointed.

An overflow crowd of veterans, their families, and students from area schools packed the bleachers and sidewalk in front of the stadium, to pay homage to those who have served and continue to serve.

The program’s emcee, former probate judge and veteran Johnny Jones, said the event was a perfect salute.

“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be on Nov. 11 than Memorial Stadium with a large number of veterans, supporters and people that just care about veterans,” he said.

During his speech, Col. John Gibler, a veteran of Korea and Vietnam, reminded the crowd there is no longer a draft. Those who serve in the military do so because they heard a calling.

“Today, the warriors and the active persons are all volunteers,” he said. “How proud are we of these men and women and their families? Very proud. Let us reach out to these modern day warriors.

“If you see them in the airport, shake their hand and thank them for their service.”

It is important, Gibler said, to honor those who serve, as well as their support systems.

“Today, let’s resolve to honor all of those who have served,” he said. “We all owe a great big thank you to them, as well as members of their family. Let us this day raise our glasses to those who have served around the world and those who serve to this day.”

The ceremony, American Legion Post 20 Commander Jesus Sanchez said, was one of the largest they have had so far. This, he said, was his commitment when he took over the event.

“I promised you all six years ago that we were going to put forth every effort to make this Veterans Day program where we could honor the dead and those who fought and make it bigger and bigger every year,” he said. “I said that I would do that if I could have the support of all of the people in Selma. I think we should all be blessed that we have this many people come to get together to honor those who have made all this possible.”