"I get very choked up:" An emotional 151st Memorial Day parade along Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee



MILWAUKEE -- It is one of Milwaukee's oldest traditions. The 151st Memorial Day Parade stepped off on Monday afternoon, May 30th at 4th and Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

The parade ended with a wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial Center along the lakefront.

The ceremony capped an emotional day for those who have a hand in continuing this tradition.

Memorial Day Parade in Milwaukee



Karen Armstrong



"I get very choked up. I get goosebumps because I`m very proud of our military," Karen Armstrong, parade organizer said.

"Today, of all days, I just feel very patriotic and I thought I`d come down and support our veterans," Aaron Kelly, veteran said.

For more than an hour, those along Wisconsin Avenue soaked in the sun and offered their salute.



Kathy Pietrykowski said it was a most special Memorial Day, as in April, her 89-year-old father, a WWII veteran took the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Kathy Pietrykowski



"It brought on a lot of stories from my dad. My dad told me a lot of stories I never heard before and listening to the other vets, what they went through," Pietrykowski said.

For others, the day offered a chance to reflect on the loved ones and comrades who are no longer with us.

Memorial Day Parade in Milwaukee



"My father passed away from Agent Orange from the Vietnam War, so my children and any grandchildren know a lot about veterans," Gloria Varga, Army veteran said.

"I call my friends` families. See how they`re doing, check in, see how they`re doing a couple times a year," Henry Fisher, veteran said.

While each story is unique, the underlying message, the reason why they showed up for the parade on Monday afternoon was the same.

Memorial Day Parade in Milwaukee



"When I see these streets lined up and I see the children and families, it just goes to show there`s more than a day off of work. There`s more than a picnic in a park. Please come out and support your veterans," Armstrong said.

Memorial Day Parade in Milwaukee



Armstrong said she's proud of this year's parade lineup, which featured about 80 different groups, totaling about 1,500 participants with many more lined up to watch.

Memorial Day Parade in Milwaukee