The nation's oldest continuous Memorial Day parade wound its way through Old Towne Portsmouth Monday.
For Frank Parrino, watching it brings back a lot of memories. He marched in the same parade more than 50 years ago.
"I was in the Marine Corps for 3 years and I was part of the drill team and we walked down this road, and I enjoyed it because the music, the music does something to you," Parinno said.
He hasn't been back in a while, but says this year he felt like he needed to be here.
"It brings back a lot of memories of the time I was in, especially now when so many guys have died and got disabled," said Parrino.
It's a little harder for the youngest parade goers to fully grasp, but even they can you tell why they were at the parade.
"To remember the veterans," said one boy. Another, said it was "to celebrate the people in the Army that they fought for their lives for us."
It's a day that parents say they want to make sure their children understand.
"Hopefully we can teach him the same types of things and he can grow up to be a great American," said Ray Alvarez.
So after getting a good seat, families watched and cheered together as veterans organizations, American Legion groups and others drove by.
This is the 128th year for the parade. It is the oldest continuous Memorial Day parade in the country.
A chance every year for the community to come together to remember and honor those who have served -- and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
"It`s a great tribute, it`s an honor for me to be here and see all the men and women who came before us," said Alvarez.
