
The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie
A beautiful day in Washington greeted thousands who turned out to watch and participate in the annual Memorial Day Parade down Constitution Avenue in honor of all military members who have served the United States. Veterans from wars beginning with World War II through present day marched or rode in style to greet paradegoers who lined the street and rewarded the troops with constant, loud applause. Tuskegee Airmen riding in fancy cars were among parade participants.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and at 3 p.m., the two-hour parade stopped, watchers removed their hats, and all paused in silence for the National Moment of Remembrance, authorized by the U.S. Congress.
Thanks to Stars and Stripes and the sponsors for publishing a commemorative edition of the newspaper for the special day.

Sponsored by the Republic of Vietnam Veterans Association Coalition/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Arbor View High School, Las Vegas, NV/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Arbor View High School, Las Vegas, NV/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

A riderless horse in tribute to those who have lost their lives in service to our nation/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

To honor his uncle, WWII veteran Willy Novelli, actor Joe Mantegna led a succession of WWII vets riding in high style/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

WWII vets in the 2015 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

WWII vets in the 2015 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

WWII vets in the 2015 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ballou High School Marching Band, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

"Girls can't have all the fun! I just want to be a pom pom boy!" Hampton High School Band, Allison Park, PA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

You guessed right: a 60-foot flag/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Opelousas High School Band, Opelousas, LA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

"OMgosh! I was going to lay down right on the pavement and cry if I didn't get those heels off! Thank goodness, you brought some other shoes for me! Mothers think of everything!" Opelousas High School Band, Opelousas, LA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

President George Washington left Martha warming the stove, I 'spose/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, Columbus/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, Columbus/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation featuring Gary Sinise (on right, waving in black and white checked shirt) and Wounded Warriors from Afghanistan and Iraq/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Black Knight Marching Band, Franklin High School, Franklin, PA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Black Knight Marching Band, Franklin High School, Franklin, PA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Nationals went to Chicago to beat the Cubs and left Abe and George at home. Boo hoo. But we got'em! Over on the far curb it looks like George is bending over to grab a ...? Slurp off a popsicle?/
Photo by Patricia Leslie
Secaucus High School, Secaucus, NJ/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

West Platte High School Marching Band, Weston, MO/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

President Abraham Lincoln for sure wasn't going to bring that crazy Mary Todd Lincoln!/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Female Re-Enactors of Distinction/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Shiner High School Marching Band, Shiner, TX/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Shiner High School Marching Band, Shiner, TX/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Oh, to lead a dog's life and ride atop a stagecoach in 2015. Bow WOW/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Sons of Confederate Veterans, R.E. Lee Camp, Alexandria, VA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Bartow High School, Bartow, FL/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Bartow High School, Bartow, FL/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Henry Ford II High School Marching Falcons, Sterling Heights, MI/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Henry Ford II High School Marching Falcons, Sterling Heights, MI/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Pride of Morristown Junior/Senior High School, Morristown, IN/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Pride of Morristown Junior/Senior High School, Morristown, IN/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

They grow'em big out West! A potato from Idaho/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Deer Park High School Band, Deer Park, TX/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

General "Black Jack" John Pershing and his horse, "Aw Shucks"/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Gateway High School Marching Band, Monroeville, PA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Lions/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, who wears size negative two/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Mulberry High School Band, Mulberry, FL/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

From Lancaster County, PA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Please identify this band/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Springfield Central High School Marching Band, Springfield, MA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Springfield Central High School Marching Band, Springfield, MA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Cumberland Valley High School Marching Band, Mechanicsburg, PA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Cumberland Valley High School Marching Band, Mechanicsburg, PA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Cumberland Valley High School Marching Band, Mechanicsburg, PA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

2014 American Idol winner, Caleb Johnson, salutes American heroes/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Havelock High School Marching Rams, Havelock, NC. Havelock must havelots of residents to have a high school band this big/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Havelock High School Marching Rams, Havelock, NC. Havelock's flag girls won "Best Costume" of the day. They were dressed like WWII worker bee women/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

John F. Kennedy High School Eagles' Marching Band, Taylor, MI/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Purple Hearts Reunited/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Purple Hearts Reunited/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Snowball Express serving the Children of Our Fallen Military Heroes/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Kuwait honored Gulf War veterans/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ocoee High School Knights Marching Band, Ocoee, FL/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Mariposa Unified Grizzly High School Band, Mariposa, CA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Navy Reserves/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Chilton High School Band, Clanton, AL or Chilton, WI?/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Chilton High School Band, Clanton, AL or Chilton, WI?/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Liberty Technology High School Band, Jackson, TN/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Everett High School, Everett, MA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Everett High School, Everett, MA/
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Doing what moms do in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./
Photo by Patricia Leslie

Hang around 'til the end and get your picture taken with a pig/
Photo by Patricia Leslie
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