I think at some point or another everyone wants to be part of a parade. As kids, we often make our own marching down the street with an empty can drum, a wagon and some improvised flags. This tradition of proudly displaying our colors for the masses speaks to us on a deep level. It's not just the excitement of showing off, it's also that we all love the color, crowds and excitement.

This year, my family got a chance to live that dream for a wonderful cause. The local Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association asked my boss Dana to escort them in the parade on his Remember Pearl Harbor Tribute motorcycle and find people to carry the banners and flags. The youngest Survivor is 88. They just can't walk the parade route anymore, let alone carry those heavy banners and flags. When I told my daughter about it, I think she deafened me with the loud screeching "YES!!!!" So of course, because I always "volunteer" additional family members as needed, I got my mom, my sister, Holly's best friend Madison and her Grandfather to join us in making this parade a "go" for them.



My sister Norah is a dog trainer and has two very well trained dogs that entertained the crowd with tricks as we marched. Dana's bike is hand engraved with over 100 images relating to the attack on Pearl Harbor.



Here is most of the small but proud group before we set out. Back row: Ike (89), Ginnie, her husband Clif (88), Tiny and her husband Jack (94).
Leaning on the truck: Grandpa Ken and Grandma Mauri
Front Row; Dana, Holly and Madison.

Norah and the dogs are hanging out on the side and I was taking the picture.



I got this picture from the tail end of the group. Just two cars, but so much cheering for these heroes!



My mom and Madi's Grandpa Ken carried the flags for the Survivors. They don't look that heavy until you carry them for a mile or more. So glad they had the harnesses and the pole for the banner.



The parade got a little strung out at the end here on Fremont Street. I snapped this picture of Holly with Dana out in front on the bike. She was so proud to be part of the parade and you can see how thick the crowd was.



Right before we set out. There was a lot of waiting as more parade marchers poured in from the side streets.



It was a group effort to assist Pearl Harbor Survivor Jack Gold onto Metal of Honor. At 94, he is the oldest one in Las Vegas. He and the other Survivors love the Harley. Clif said he felt it was going to outlast them and carry their memory on.

Lots more pics on Dana's flickr stream.