This Memorial Day, many people once again came out to celebrate the freedom Americans enjoy and pay tribute to those who gave their lives for it.

Parades and ceremonies were held across the state.

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Parades and ceremonies were held across the state for Memorial Day

Some said the feeling is bit different this year as the war goes on, the USA prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday and military recruitment is reportedly up

Spectators at the Utica parade said regardless of the questionable weather, it was important to them to come out and enjoy the festivities

Despite some lingering morning rain, people in Utica still came out to enjoy the annual parade. The rain seemed to clear up just in time for people to line the streets.

“They always put on a good one. I was hoping they still would have it because of the weather. I guess it doesn’t stop them,” said Helen Robertson of Utica.

“It’s very important to keep it going and show the importance of it. If you canceled because of the weather, it just diminishes the importance of the meaning of today,” said veteran Vincent Scalise.

Scalise’s organization, The Utica Center for Development, hosted the parade. Streets were once again lined with spectators, patriotic pups and live music.

“I just think music adds a lot to it. I think they feel the music. They feel the musicians playing the emotion that they have. I just think it adds a lot,” said Donna DeRosa, a member of La Banda Rossa.

All across upstate New York, communities made sure the support and gratitude were felt.

“We remember empty chairs at the family table, folded flags presented with trembling hands and the generations of Americans who answered the call of service knowing the cost could be everything,” said Liverpool Post 188 Commander David Whitford.

“I’ve lost Marines, and I want to treat every day like it’s Memorial Day. And today, I can show the world what it does mean,” said Chili American Legion Post 1830 Commander Karl Schwab.

Some said this year has a bit of a different feeling as the war goes on and the nation is about to celebrate its 250th birthday.

Last December, the U.S. Department of War said military recruitment “returned to levels not seen in more than a decade” in fiscal year 2025.

They say the Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force all exceeded 100% of their recruiting goals.

The Marine Corps recruited 26,600 people, meeting its goal at exactly 100%.

“There’s a new sense of pride with service. We’re going back to what it was all about in the first place. It’s about defending our country and not pleasing people, let’s say. I do think that’s a reason why we’re going back to the hard standards of physical fitness and discipline, and that’s what people want,” said Scalise.