RALEIGH -- Thousands of people from across North Carolina packed downtown Raleigh on Saturday for the statewide Salute the Troops event, which is meant to spotlight North Carolina as the nation's most military-friendly state.

“We want to show the veterans today that people do care very much whether you agree with the plans or the war itself,” said Vietnam veteran Jim Wayne.

The celebration of pride and patriotism, the largest military support event in state history, kicked off at 10 a.m. with a flyover by jets from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and a parade down Fayetteville Street.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing that all the civilians and everybody in North Carolina want to see us,” said Sgt. First Class Larry Covington, who just returned from deployment

More than 10,000 troops from every military branch and every base in the state joined marching bands and massive military equipment in the parade toward the state capitol.

“If you walk away from this event without the feeling, without that American pride, then you were in the wrong place today,” said North Carolina USO president Judy Pitchford.

Organizers of the event say it was a way to pay tribute to those serving the nation now and to the people of the state who support them.

“We have over 600 volunteers in our organization across this great state of North Carolina that support the troops on a daily basis, along with all the sponsors,” Pitchford said.

More than 100,000 troops are based in North Carolina and the military has an $18.1 billion impact on the state economy. But as important as those stats are, attendees say it’s the heart of the men and women in uniform that means the most.

“To everybody in North Carolina, I just want to tell them I love them and the reason why I sacrifice my life is for North Carolina,” said Covington.

After the parade, a full day of events included military displays and demonstrations. The North Carolina Banker's Association organized the event with the help of 40 sponsors.