Gainesville’s patriotism was in full bloom despite gray skies Monday as American veterans marched down Green Street in the annual Memorial Day Parade.

Veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan marched their way through the heart of Gainesville to honor their comrades who had fallen in foreign wars.

The Chestatee High School marching band boomed its way down the street and was flanked by sparkly baton twirlers. Antique cars strutted their stuff as local politicians, young beauty queens, civic groups and police and fire officials tossed candy to the hundreds of children, adults and veterans lounging in lawn chairs lining the street.

The Air National Guard Band of the South from Dobbins Air Force Base started the parade, and performed later at Lakewood Baptist Church. Grand marshals of the parade were various family members of the men in Charlie Company, the Gainesville-based Army Reserves unit that soon will go to Afghanistan.

Gainesville resident Tony Stephens said Memorial Day holds a special place in the hearts of locals. He brought his daughter and twin 20-month-old granddaughters to the parade Monday.

"I think we’re backbone small town USA and we appreciate our freedoms, and that’s why we commemorate those people who have served," Stephens said.

He said he was proud to see that even skies threatening rain couldn’t stave off the large crowd.

Jack Carey was one of those veterans camped out Monday on Green Street. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War.

"I’m a veteran, and I had some close kin people who lost their lives in World War II," he said. "This is the one day for me."

Carey said his cousin, Austin Dover, was killed in action in Italy in 1943. He said it feels good to see others honor him on Memorial Day.

"I really remember him all the time," he said.

Carey is a member of the Paul E. Bolding Post 7 American Legion and said the group started the Memorial Day Parade seven years ago to honor veterans. He said parade-goers can thank the late Gene Shadburn for initiating the holiday celebration.

Shadburn perished in an accident last year, Carey said, but his commitment to honoring veterans is alive and well.

"It really makes you feel proud to be an American, proud to be a veteran," Carey said of the swelling crowd the parade draws each year.

He said he especially enjoys seeing all the children waving American flags at the parade.

"I think as they grow older they will remember this, and it will be inspirational to them," Carey said.

Gainesville resident Dodi Pritchett said she brought her daughters Maura, 4, and Clara, 2, to the parade for the first time this year.

"We have several friends and family members who have served, and we thought it’d be a good experience for the girls," Pritchett said.

She said in the car on the way to the parade, she explained to the girls the significance of Memorial Day.

"We said we were going to celebrate the men and women who work in the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps," Pritchett said. "We told them they have really hard jobs and they help us to have an easier, good life. And on Memorial Day, we celebrate them."