As soon as Dennis Setzer saw the color guard carrying the American flag approaching behind the bagpipes, he signaled for his children to stand up.
"I always make them stand up for the flag," Setzer said Saturday.
From their little patch of shade in front of Judy Dalton's law office off Main Street, the vintage aircraft, fire trucks and, of course, the candy at the Fifth Annual Iredell County Independence Parade grabbed the attention of 11-year-old Sara and twins Rachel and Andrew, 7.
Setzer hoped seeing all the veterans and patriotic emblems would also instill a sense of respect.
Some of his own friends lost a parent in Vietnam, and now his children are watching their friends' parents or church members deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Many of the onlookers who lined Main Street said the annual parade has become a tradition, and a good way to show their respect for the troops.
Salvation Army Officer Phillip Priest took a break from work to watch the South Iredell High School Marine Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and re-enactors from Allison Woods Living History. His nephew, who is in the U.S. Army, recently returned from Kuwait.
"It's a way to honor the troops," he said.
Troutman resident Mary Lynn Heisler said it's important to give children an appreciation for what veterans have done.
"This is the largest parade in Iredell County," announced WSIC Vice President Billy "Buck" Blevins over the loudspeaker.
Veterans standing on the floats would salute those in the crowd. Churches passed out flyers to their upcoming vacation Bible schools.
Besides the red, white and blue flair, there were a lot of interesting entries among the 100 that made their way down Main Street. A red, white and blue poodle, a man dressed as a multicolored hand encouraging people to participate in the 2010 U.S. Census and even a huge shopping cart for N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
"It's just a hometown thing," said Statesville resident Jane Fulbright, whose granddaughter Michaela LeJeune, 6, was riding with the Girl Scouts of America. "The community has come together to put this on and I think it's wonderful."
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