Oak Harbor is a military town.

Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s Ault Field and Seaplane bases cradle the city. It seems that everyone in town either has a direct connection to the military or is separated by just a degree or two.

More than 13,000 veterans call Whidbey home — the highest per capita rate in the state.

So it was surprising for Oak Harbor resident Terry Lacey when he saw a Veterans Day parade in another community and realized there’s nothing like it on Whidbey Island.

So he did something about it.

This Saturday, Oak Harbor will hold its fourth annual Veterans Day Parade on Pioneer Way. It will begin at 11 a.m.

The Whidbey News-Times and Whidbey Crosswind are sponsors of the annual parade.

The parade — fun, loud, and, at times, solemn — is a great way for people to show their support of both active-duty and veterans of the armed forces. It’s also a wonderful community and family-bonding event.

Watch the interaction between young sailors and vets along the parade route and it’s hard not to get a little teary-eyed. “Thank you for your service” are words that these men and women truly understand.

Then on Veterans Day, the Oak Harbor Area Council of Navy League will hold a Veterans Day ceremony at Oak Harbor High School Performing Arts Center.

The theme this year is “Honoring our Nation’s Heroes” and will feature musical performances by the All-Island Community Band and Oak Harbor High School Treble Choir.

While it’s important for all of us to show our support for the military by showing up for such events, there are other ways that people can show their appreciation.

The Whidbey Veterans Resource Center, located in Bayview, has been helping veterans and their families for more than a year. And the need is unfortunately real.

At the annual Stand Down in August, the center served nearly 70 veterans and their families in accessing much-needed assistance, including housing, clothing, health services, connecting with VA benefits and assistance dealing with trauma.

You can do something about it.

Whidbey Veterans Resource Center is currently holding a fund drive to keep the doors open. The group can be reached at 360-331-8081 you can email the program coordinator at AprilP.wvrc@gmail.com