As the rising sun burned away the morning mist on Monday, it revealed patriotic residents of Marietta giving their respects to the fallen heroes that have provided them with the freedom they cherish.

Two parades highlighted the Memorial Day weekend that payed respect to the memory of the service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Marietta VFW Post 5108 started with their parade in Harmar Village, and the American Legion Post 64’s annual parade through downtown Marietta wrapped up the day of remembrance.

Before the start of the VFW’s parade at Harmar Elementary School, Post Commander Bob Jenkins said his post is participating in the 75th annual parade for one simple reason.

“So we can remember our fallen comrades,” he said.

Mayor Joe Matthews also attend the parade with the Marine Corps League Sgt. Bob O’Malley Detachment 1436 and said participation from the public in Harmar has begun to decline over the last few years.

“I wish there would be more people,” he said.

Matthews said when he was a child, his family and all his neighbors came out to support the parade.

“I remember when the streets used to be lined on the west side,” Matthews said.

Bobbie Carpenter, of Marietta, was along the parade route and said more honor needed to be given to all people that have served in the military.

“I think people don’t understand the sacrifice they give. We still need to honor and support all veterans and their families,” she said.

The parade consisting of members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Marietta Police Department, Marietta Fire Department and VFW Post 5108 left Harmar Elementary at 8 a.m. and traveled north to Harmar Cemetery for a wreath laying ceremony with a rifle salute.

But participation wasn’t an issue at the 10 a.m. American Legion parade through downtown Marietta. Heading north on Putnam Street and then down Fifth Street, the parade gave hundreds of local residents a reason to celebrate on the day of remembrance.

Floyd Schmidt, of Marietta, said he comes every year to give thanks to a friend from high school that gave his life defending America during the Korean War.

“His name was Golden Gray. He was like an older brother to me,” Schmidt said. “It was like losing a member of the family.”

George Wescott, 36, of Marietta, brought his triplets, Olivia, Alexis and Taylor, 6, to the parade to enjoy the day as a family.

“We always come to all the parades,” he said. “And today of course we are supporting the troops.”

Throngs of patriotically dressed people lined the streets as the Marietta High School Wall of Sound, Sons of the American Revolution, Marietta Shrine Club, area fire departments and veterans groups gave the onlookers a day of fun to be shared with friends and family.

But the true meaning of the day was epitomized by the dropping of a wreath by VFW Post 5108 into the Muskingum River from the Putnam Street Bridge. The lone wreath, in honor of Navy and Marine servicemen, slowly traveled with the current of the Muskingum into the Ohio River before being lost from site. Even though it was gone, the hundreds of eyes that gazed upon it wouldn’t soon forget it, just like the heroes it represented.