Glenn is honored by the crowds lining the parade

HOUSTON (CNN) -- NASA's hometown used its first Veterans Day parade ever Wednesday to honor John Glenn and the space agency's 40 years of reaching for the stars.

Glenn and his six shuttle Discovery crew mates were joined by dozens of other space fliers in a parade through Houston, led by war veterans. It was 36 years ago that Glenn was showered with a ticker tape parade in New York City after his first spaceflight.

	COUNTDOWN: Mission News CNN Video Archive Panoramic Photos Tour Mission Control FLASHBACK: Whither the Mecury 7? Shuttle Milestones Gallery: Then and Now LAUNCHPAD: Message Boards Space Chat Glenn-Gram e-mail GAMES: Match the Mission Mission Quiz Crossword Puzzle Crew members Brown Duque Glenn Lindsey Mukai Parazynski Robinson

Most of the focus was on Glenn, who at 77 holds the twin distinction of being the world's oldest astronaut as well as the first American to orbit the Earth. He was also praised for his years of public service, as a combat pilot in two wars and a U.S. senator.

For the veterans leading the way, the parade was just as much about them. Vietnam veteran Tony Valdes saw three dozen of his buddies killed in an ambush 30 years ago and says he still has nightmares about that day.

Veterans march in Houston

But as he marched alongside his comrades, Valdes held his 196th infantry logo high, and held back tears amid the cheers of thousands.

"It says, 'Hey, I did my part,'" said Valdes. "I don't want anything special," he said, "it's just that one day a year... this is my day."