Mystic — Hundreds of residents lined West Main Street and the Mystic drawbridge Monday afternoon, as firetrucks, bands and honored guests paraded through the downtown area. 

Parade-goers, many dressed in red, white and blue, applauded as veterans and military personnel marched through the streets. Some children watched the parade, while waving American flags, or peering out from wagons or on top of their parents' shoulders.

The annual Memorial Day Parade was hosted by the Hugo A. Simonelli Post 3263 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Before the parade, Dan O'Brien, a past post commander and a Vietnam veteran, reflected on the meaning of Memorial Day, which he said is not about hot dogs and picnics.

"To a lot of people, it's a somber day," he said. "It's a day to remember those who died and served our country."

Amid applause, Parade Marshal Charles Holland, an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, waved from a white Chevrolet Caprice adorned with American flags. Raymond Ross Jr., the VFW post's commander, waved from a car that followed. 

The parade featured a host of participants, including the Groton Lodge of Elks No. 2163 and the Rev. John F. Murphy Knights of Columbus Council No. 1943 of Mystic, which carried flags. The American Legion Post 4 Marching Color Guard of Norwich, the Westerly Band, the Westbrook Drum Corps and the Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps were among the units that provided music along the parade route.

The Sphinx Shriners Motor Patrol of Newington drew the attention of the crowd, as the patrol's members whirled around on tiny vehicles during the parade. Shiny fire engines and patrol cars from local departments also drove through the streets, with an appearance from Smokey the Bear in a North Stonington Volunteer Fire Co. truck.

Youths from the New London High School Navy Junior ROTC to local scout troops also marched in the parade. The Robert E. Fitch High School Band twirled red, white and blue flags in the air.

"It was a great parade," said Rick DeNicolo, a Bolton resident who comes to Mystic on weekends. "They had a lot of variety."

DeNicolo, who attended with his son and grandchildren, said his family comes to the parade every year.

The parade is also a long-standing tradition for some participants.

Jim Buckley, who marched in the parade Monday as a more than 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus, also marched when he was younger as part of the Fitch High School Band. He remembers the parade from back in his grammar-school days.

Monday's parade progressed from Main Street and then along Route 1 to reach the VFW post for a ceremony. Bill Lewis, the co-chairman of the parade committee, who has been involved with organizing the parade for more than two decades, said marchers in the long-standing parade used to march all the way to the Elm Grove Cemetery.

Terrie Lamb, the director of the Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps and a member of the Groton Elks, also noted the special significance of the day for the corps, which performs throughout the year.

"Memorial Day for them is a time to remember those who gave their lives for our country and to give back," said Lamb.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich