Memorial Day parade draws thousands to Washington for 250th anniversary events

Thousands flocked to the nation's capital Monday for the Memorial Day parade, with attendees gathering for the first of many official 250th anniversary celebrations taking place this summer. High school bands from Arkansas to Massachusetts played patriotic tunes such as "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "The Liberty Bell March" as veterans from Operation Desert Storm and the Vietnam and Korean wars boarded floats to wave at spectators lining Constitution Avenue Northwest.

Hundreds of people camped out on the steps of the National Archives, the official parade starting point, as MCs announced the next group to begin marching west toward the Washington Monument.

m. start. Light rain resumed on cue as the crowds thinned out three hours later. National pride was beaming from the families, couples and locals from the D.C. region who lined the parade route, many of whom were decked out in red, white and blue to honor those who gave their lives in the defense of the country.

Attendee perspectives A couple flew in from La Crosse, Wisconsin, to join in the Memorial Day weekend festivities near the National Mall. The man's father fought in World War II and was on a ship near Iwo Jima when Marines raised the U.S. flag on the Japanese island in February 1945.

The woman said the couple went to the National Memorial Day Concert the night before on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol and were eager to watch the procession Monday.

“We are very proud to be here. It makes you realize the sacrifices that were made 250 years ago were part of an amazing experiment that is still working today.”

Some other paradegoers felt the event could have used a bit more sizzle. One attendee who was in town with her husband from Lafayette, Indiana, complimented President Trump's efforts to deck out the District with flags marking the nation's 250th birthday.

She said organizers could have set off fireworks or, jokingly, suggested that they have a bald eagle fly overhead to bring up the energy. Attendees who remember America's 200th celebration back in 1976 said there was a change in the enthusiasm as well.

A Navy veteran who took the Metro in from his home in Arlington blamed part of the dampened atmosphere on the dreary weather. He also said unspecified changes in the "demographics of the paradegoers" over the last 50 years contributed to the more subdued vibe of the anniversary.

Participant turnout For parade participants, however, they noticed an extra dose of excitement among the crowd compared to years past. A staffer at the African American Civil War Memorial Museum said the aura of America 250 translated into more people coming to see the festivities themselves.

As for his own organization's participation, in which the members don uniforms of the District-based 1st United States Colored Infantry regiment, he said typically only five or six members march in the parade. This year, however, he said about more than 15 members dressed up for the role.

The staffer, a native Washingtonian, said his help with the African American Civil War Memorial Museum is meant to educate people about the role Black Americans played in reuniting the country following its deadliest conflict.

“We're part of American history. The nation was divided during the institution of slavery during the Civil War, and because we helped end it, we brought the country together. That's what President Abraham Lincoln wanted — to be a whole country and not separated.”