NATCHEZ — Louis Mulvihill celebrated his birthday Saturday by serving as a grand marshal for the third-annual Miss-Lou Veterans Coalition Veterans Day Parade.

“Not many people get an 89th birthday and a celebration for their service,” Mulvihill said.

Mulvihill served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as did his fellow grand marshal Sam Corley, 89.

“I think it was fantastic that they allowed us to be here,” Mulvihill said. “It’s an honor.”

The men rode in a red truck at the front of the parade, handing out candy and waving.

“Makes you feel pretty good to see how friendly people are at this place,” Corley said.

The third grand marshal was World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Bob Mims, 94. It’s not the first time Mims has been a grand marshal, but he said it’s always great fun.

“I enjoyed being part of the parade,” Mims said. “I always do. I see a lot of friends out on the sidewalk.”

Unlike the other marshals, Mims rode with the Natchez-Adams Post 9573 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

“All of us are veterans and we understand the sacrifices veterans have made,” U.S. Army veteran Ben Tucker said. “And any time we can support the sacrifices that veterans have made, we try to make ourselves available to promote that cause.”

It’s important to remember the wars the veterans fought in, Mims said.

“We can’t forget that these things happened and that they can happen again,” Mims said.

The VFW was one of the many organizations that handed out candy to onlookers as they moved toward the Natchez Convention Center for a flag retirement ceremony by a local Boy Scouts troop. Others passed out strings of beads and small American flags.

Marvine Walters and his son, Masonn Walters, ended up sporting all three. The two are from Memphis, but Marvine said he came down to visit family.

While visiting, he heard about the parade and decided to come. Masonn, 8, said he enjoyed the sirens, as well as all the candy and beads.

“But that’s not important,” Masonn said.

Instead, Masonn said supporting the veterans was more important and he liked that people were giving their support. It’s why Marvine said they came to the parade.

“We just want to show them we support them and their endeavors in trying to make the world a safe place to live,” Marvine said.