NATCHEZ — For Miss-Lou residents, Memorial Day is all about honor and tradition.

For more than 100 years, locals have lined up in Vidalia to march into Natchez to the National Cemetery to pay respects to those who died serving our country, and this Memorial Day was no different.

At approximately 8:45 a.m. Monday, police lights could be seen coming over the Great Mississippi River Bridge, followed by hundreds of service members, veterans, friends and family — many crossing the bridge on foot.

The parade marchers stopped for a water break at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center before continuing their trek to the Natchez National Cemetery.

After the parade, a Memorial Day program was held featuring local singers and clergymen.

Among the hundreds that turned out for the celebration was Army Veteran Louis Banks.

Banks has attended each Memorial Day Parade for the past 15 years.

“Even when I was in the military, I came home for this event every year,” Banks said. “As a vet, it is good to see people appreciate what we do.”

Jarren Williams, a drummer in the parade who has been attending the festivities for 10 years, said he attended to honor the fallen, as well as celebrate a community tradition.

Army veteran and cemetery caretaker Ben Tucker was happy to see so many people turn out to the cemetery.

Tucker served 35 years, going on two tours of duty, and just as he was finishing up his service, his son Chris joined the forces and has been serving for 18 years.

“Soldiers have given so much,” Tucker said. “A lot of times, people who haven’t served don’t really understand. We can’t show all the appreciation they deserve. But today, we can show a little.”

Vidalia resident Tyberia Bowman said she has been to more than 40 Miss-Lou Memorial Day parades.

She said she goes to honor her family. Bowman has family members from across the country visit for the parade so they can see each other as well as honor the fallen soldiers in their family.

“You have to show them we remember,” Bowman said. “We appreciate them and this is their day. We try to just show support.”