Alyssa Stewart took it lying down. The fire engines, lights flashing, went rolling along Quincy Street, followed by floats and horses and even a

contingent of llamas.

Alyssa watched quietly from her zippy blue stroller. Her parents stood beside her, teaching brother Anthony, 2, how to hold his American flag properly.

"We come every year," her father,

James Stewart, of Ironton, said.

"We like to bring the kids," mother, Christy, agreed.

The 134th-annual Ironton-Lawrence County Memorial Day Parade drew a crowd of thousands and, in some cases, served as a reunion for those here and far away.

All around her, people waited for a glimpse of someone they knew and a new memory they could take home with them.

"I’m from out of town," Karen Palmer Asinas said. "I’m from West Palm Beach, Fla."

But she comes back now and again to visit family and see the parade. The last trip home was five years ago.

This time, things are a bit different -- she has grandson, Zander, 2, with her.

"I used to bring his mom when she was this age," Asinas said. "She couldn’t come this time. She had to work. I’m anxious to see what he likes best."

"Fireman," he kept repeating. Zander had a Blue’s Clues in one hand, a bright blue cartoon balloon. He knew something exciting was happening around him, he just wasn’t sure what yet.

"This is a real good time to see everybody," Asinas said.

The Ironton native reflected a moment on Memorial day, and the hometown that celebrates it in grand style.

"This town is so patriotic, you know, always has been."

Gary and Eve Lunsford brought their children, Connor, five, and Cody, 10 to see the parade. They also brought his grandmother, Mary Richendollar.

Richendollar is from Ironton, but the Lunsfords are in visiting from Batesville, Indiana.

Three generations of family members stood on the sidelines waiting to cheer a fourth generation: Lunsford’s mom, Sue is this years parade Grand Marshal.

"I don’t ever miss it, if I can get here at all," Richendollar said. "I like the people. I like to see who honors the veterans the best."

Nearby, Becky Young and Martha Sites, of the Lorain Street Gospel Mission did brisk business with a concession stand.

Sites estimated that 200 people would stop by for hot dogs, nachos and cold drinks. The proceeds fund the church’s Vacation Bible School coming up in June.

Sites enjoys the military entries best of all. To her Memorial Day means freedom.

"Freedom to worship how we choose, go where we want to live how we want to live," Sites said. "Everyone should appreciate the freedoms we have in this country."

Like many others gathered along the streets, coming to the parade has been a tradition in her family.

"Daddy used to bring me when I was a little girl. When I had kids of my own I used to bring

them," Sites said.

Dan French, of Raceland, Ky., brought his grand daughter, Kayla. She sat atop grandpa’s shoulders and watched the parade go by.

The Vietnam veteran said he comes every year, but this year, he noticed more of a patriotic spirit. And he noticed the lineup was longer, too.

"It seems this parade just keeps getting bigger and bigger," French said.

Kayla liked the cheerleaders, twirling past in their bright outfits and pompoms. She also ooed as she spied a white convertible in the procession.

The Callicoat family from Coal Grove even included Cleo, an English Bull Dog, one of several canines who came with their masters for a day on the town.

"It’s a family tradition," Becky Callicoat said. "We’ve been coming since we were babies." The family tradition brought her cousin, Lewis Holston, all the way from Warren.

As the last horse clopped past and mom and dad prepared to leave, little Alyssa Stewart had fallen into a slumber. She may have missed a horse or two, but then, there’s always next year. Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune