"It's nice to be thanked now:" Memorial Day Parade honors Vietnam veterans



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It has been happening since 1865 -- and its significance does not fade. On Monday, May 26th, Milwaukee's Memorial Day Parade paid tribute to those who have lost their lives for our country.

Milwaukee's 149th consecutive Memorial Day Parade stepped off as loud as usual -- with the cascade of motorcycle riders.

John Partl has been participating for about 29 years -- and for him, it never gets old.

This year's parade honored Vietnam veterans -- and Partl happens to be one of them.

"It's nice to be thanked now. I mean, when you're marching down the street and everybody yells out 'thank you for your service' and things like that. It wasn't like that when we came home," Partl said.

Some parade onlookers were regulars -- who come back year after year. But there were some newbies in the crowd too.

The parade started at 4th and Wisconsin -- and ended at the War Memorial Center.

There, the ceremonial laying of the wreaths took place.

There was also a pledge that even if a war is unpopular, returning vets won't be rejected.

The parade also honored the prisoners of war and those "missing in action" -- and fortunately, the parade ended just before the clouds rolled in -- making it a pleasant event for a special remembrance.