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HOUGHTON -- Military men aren't known for their emotion, but there was a lot of love at Monday night's tribute dinner for the honorees of the sixth annual Parade of Thanks.

Local business owner and Vietnam vet Rick Freeman was named Patriot of the Year.

Sgt. Joe Tormala, a Purple Heart recipient for the wounds he received in Iraq in 2003, was given the parade's top honor, Grand Marshal.

"I’m a pretty private person," said Tormala.  "I've been involved in a lot of things privately, supporting veterans and stuff, but it's an honor to see that the community notices and selected me."

Courtney Clisch, 14, lent her beautiful voice to the patriotic festivities, but she was also one of the night's special guests.  The talented teen often sings at local nursing homes and was honored as the parade's Junior Patriot of the Year.

"I’ve sung at each one of these before, and I’ve always known how great of an honor it was for all of the other junior patriots and patriots of the year to do this," said Clisch.  "I'm so happy."

Because of the construction in Hancock, this year's parade will only travel through downtown Houghton, but organizers say it will still be one of the biggest and best Armed Forces Day celebrations in the country.

"Patriotism needs to be continued," said Keweenaw Care Corps President Dennis Korby.  "I believe in my heart that the best way to maintain something is to keep it, rather than lose it, and try to get it back."

The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday.