The Kent community gathered downtown during the annual Memorial Day parade Monday.

The city of Kent hosted the event in order to honor the men and women who have lost their lives while serving in the military. Members of the community lined East Main Street to pay their respects and to celebrate the lives of those who were killed while in the line of duty.

Kent resident Elizabeth Brooks attended the parade and recalled a friend back in high school who died while serving his country.  

“He took part in our secret war in Laos and his plane was shot down,” Brooks said. “We used to have a party line so we knew everything that was going on with one another.”

Various clubs and groups were in attendance for the parade including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Franklin School of Dance. All three groups walked down the street passing out candy to the public.

Dave Armstrong, a veteran from the Gulf War, was among the crowd and reflected on the importance of Memorial Day.

“Remembrance of the people that served,” he said. “Some gave all, some gave some.”

He said the parade this year had a great turnout, but hoped there would be more. He wished to have seen the streets of Downtown Kent packed with people.

Near the end of the parade it came to a halt when a Theodore Roosevelt High School student in the Band and Color Guard collapsed due to the heat. After a short rest she was able to finish the parade without further incident.

Chris Spegal is a downtown reporter. Contact him at [email protected].