Monday, May 25, 2015
Memorial Day is a time to remember those that gave their lives in the service of their country. For the past 22 years the city of Dacula has done just that with its annual parade. Starting from a mere 20 participants in 1994, this year featured over 150 different groups making their way down Dacula Rd and through downtown.
The parade started with the national anthem followed with a pass over by a Dobbins Air Force Base C-130. Then the parade started in force, passing by around 10,000 people lining the streets. Veterans waved, engines roared, candy was thrown all to the waving of American flags and the cheers of thank you.
Alexis Lucas (right) and Jesse Austin hold American flags as they wait for the start of the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Timothy Beauchamp (right) helps his brother Samuel with his helmet as they and their other brother Jonathan wait for the start of the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
A C-130 airplane makes a pass over before the start of the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
A C-130 airplane makes a pass over before the start of the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Officers of Gwinnett County Police’s special operations unit ride their motorcycles down Dacula Rd. during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
A color guard leads the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade down Dacula Rd. on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Grand Marshall Charles G. Mitchell, a WWII and Korean War veteran, waves to the crowd during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Carey Davis (right) leads a symbolic riderless horse down Dacula Rd. during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Ann Harris carries an American flag down Dacula Rd. while on horseback during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Terry Thomas carries an American flag down Dacula Rd. during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Carolyn Cagle (center) carries a photo of her son John Wimpey Cagle, who was killed in action in 2011, as she marches with the Fallen Heroes of Georgia during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
WWII veteran Rocco Fiermonte waves to the crowd during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Jillian Elmer (left) and Ethan Reynolds sit in the bed of a pick up truck as they ride down Dacula Rd. during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Larry Loper (left) throws candy to the crowd during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Cole Davenport salutes as he drives a convoy truck during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
The annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade makes its way down Dacula Rd. on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Kaylee Knight watches the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade pass by on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Elton Hassell (center) salutes to the crowd as he rides in a military jeep during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Justin Brooks (right) waves an American flag as model A cars pass by during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Steven Phillips (left) and his father Scott ride in the back of a Chevrolet pick up truck during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Jim Thompson (right) waves to the crowd as he drives the parade route during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Ariel Jones (left) waves her dog Roxie’s paw at the crowd during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Dressed as a lion, Lexi Kent hands out high fives to the crowd during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Aubrey Lecture (center) waves as the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade passes by on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Josh Reynolds (left) and Donald Mize carry American flags down the parade route during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
Harold Flannigan drives his John Deere tractor down the parade route during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.
John Seymour waves an American flag during the annual Dacula Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015.