ATLANTA — Cities across the area are holding events today to honor our service men and women with speeches, memorials and music, too.
Dacula held its 26th annual Memorial Day parade Monday morning.
There were people and tents lined up along Dacula Road by 10 a.m., spanning the entire mile-and-a-half parade route that ended at Dacula High School.
Dacula’s Memorial Day parade is largest in state and one of largest observances in the country with more than 10,000 taking part pic.twitter.com/TF1gLpVAKZ
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) May 27, 2019
More than 10,000 people were expected for what is one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation.
[READ: Here are some meals and freebies on food for veterans and soldiers on Memorial Day]
The tradition started in 1994 as way to remember soldiers who gave their lives serving.
This year's parade included more than 150 entries, with the largest and most poignant being the “Fallen Heroes of Georgia,” a place card for each of the state’s 231 service members lost since Sept. 11, 2001, one entry that grows larger each year.
Largest (and still growing) entry in Dacula Memorial Day Parade: Fallen Heroes of Georgia...with placard for every service member killed since 9/11 pic.twitter.com/mkOlKZwPsN
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) May 27, 2019
This year's grand marshal was a veteran of the Marine Corps who joined during World War II.
Sgt. Lee Weidman, 94, is from Lawrenceville.
She told Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach that becoming a Marine was one of the best things she has ever done.
"It's one of the best things I did…wonderful experience, the people, everything," she said.
She wants to remind everyone this isn't about those veterans who made home, but those that did not and Gehlbach asked what the younger generations should take from this Memorial Day.
"Hopefully, really, a love for their country," she said.
Memorial Day parade in Dacula about to step off and Grand Marshall this year is 94 year old WWII Marine Corps vet Lee Weidman who joined the reserve in 1944 and left as a Sgt. pic.twitter.com/cW8CU1MddF
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) May 27, 2019
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Crowds in North Fulton County are also honoring those who died serving their country.
The special ceremony began at 11 a.m. in Roswell. It includes a laying of the wreath and a tribute for veterans who were prisoners of war or missing in action.
[READ: Here's what some veterans think about Memorial Day]
In Cobb County, the Marietta National Cemetery is also honoring veterans. The cemetery is decorated for a ceremony that began just before noon, to honor veterans, past and present.
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