WASHINGTON - Despite the muggy and sometimes wet weather, people from around the Washington area headed out to Memorial Day parades. 

The largest parade was in the District along Constitution Avenue, where attendees gathered to pay tribute to fallen troops. They remembered those from America's first war for independence to its current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (web | news) who gave their lives.

As event after event moved down Constitution Avenue, the message from many veterans was a hope that people not forget those who sacrificed life.

The 80-something WWII vets remembered friends who didn't survive their war. "I always think of Marcus on this day," said Donald Bisbee, a WWII vet.

"Those people died a long time ago for our country and sometimes they get forgotten," added Bill Strauss, a WWII vet.

The parade was more a celebration of sacrifice than a mourning of the dead. Many bands performed patriotic songs. Ernest Borgnine who played in many war movies was there, as was the nurse from the famous victory day kiss after WWII.

Attendees also remembered those who fell in Korea, Vietnam and veterans from Iraq who lost colleagues. One said that for him, this day should be about remembering, but also educating people about how special life is here in America.

"The dirt that we sit on is our mother ground, the things that we build is our father's dream and being a soldier is protecting not only us but our integrity -- the way of life and living the way it really should be," said Charles Hernandez, an Iraq War veteran.

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