Thousands showed up for the annual National Memorial Day Parade in Downtown D.C. on Monday to honor soldiers who have fought and died for America.
The large crowd queued all along the route down Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets. The parade featured marching bands and floats from multiple states including Florida, New Jersey, New York, Michigan and others.
Many people like Darryl Smith were concerned that people would improperly mark Memorial Day.
鈥淧eople don鈥檛 really understand it, I didn鈥檛 understand it for a long time. So I think as you get older, you understand it more about someone sacrificing their life for you and for the country,鈥� he said.
The most moving moments in the parade were when loved ones of fallen soldiers marched and carried 3-foot-tall photos of their soldiers who paid the ultimate price for freedom.
