Rochester observes 157th Memorial Day with parade, roll call

ROCHESTER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- In Rochester Monday, their historic Memorial Day parade and observation drew huge crowds, but it wasn't just about the fun and festivities.

"There's horses and motorcycles with the flags on the back," said 9-year-old Oliver Erickson.

He and his family had front row seats to the parade through downtown at State and Main.

The obervation of Memorial Day didn't start here downtown, however.

Earlier in the day, people like Douglas Degner and his sister, Debbie Petri, came out to the Rochester Cemetery, placing a flag on their father's grave.

Decorating the grave isn't the main event.

"Roll call, everyone that's absent will be called and mentioned in this cemetery today," said Degner.

The names being called are absent because each is a service member that in one way or another gave their life to this country.

"Ninety years. Our father remembers the first time in 1930, and our grandfather used to do it from at least then, and if not before," said Patrick Laughran.

For the Laughran family, and their eight siblings, it's been a tradition to come almost as long as the observance has been happening.

"It stems from the fact that our father was in the military, and our grandfather was in the military," said Kathleen Laughran.

"It's just, you know, very special. I tear up as each name is read," said Mary Itzenheisar.

While it's easy for the real meaning to get lost in all the fanfair of the day, it's fair to say even the young people along the parade route know what Memorial Day is for.

"Because we're celebrating the people in the Air Force, and Navy, and Marines that died in war," said Erickson.

It's something the families of those lost appreciate.

"It's so good to see local people, Rochester people, all coming out," said Kathleen.

People in Rochester say it's the oldest Memorial Day observation in the state.