For the first time in 50 years, an all-military parade passed in downtown Tacoma yesterday evening.

The Daffodil Festival committee worked with community officials in coordinating the parade.

"It is great to honor those who serve," Joe Bernstein, a Daffodil Festival volunteer said moments before the parade began.

"This is just awesome!"

While thousands lined both sides of Pacific Avenue from 13th Street to 24th Street, more than 70 entries - comprised of active duty members, patriotic organizations, motorcycle units, historical groups and National Guard Soldiers - passed in review as Mayor Marilyn Strickland emceed.

Col. Joe Jackson, a Medal of Honor winner, served as Parade Grand Marshall.

The Daffodil Festival Royalty gave up their seats on the Queen's Float to 24 wounded soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"It's good to see that some people around here care," said Army veteran Paul Bradshaw. 

>>>  Zoie Creso of Tacoma got up close with members of the Army's 56th Band as it played at Tollefson Plaza.

>>> American Gold Star Mothers marched in remembrance of those service members who have fallen.

>>> A veteran shakes hands with a Marine before the beginning of the Military Parade, which was hosted by the Daffodil Festival.

>>> Allen Douglass, a Vietnam War Navy veteran, said he was honored to be included in Tacoma's first military parade in 50 years.

>>> Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord carried the 50 states' flags in Tacoma's Military Parade.

>>> Members of the Tacoma Fire Department prepare to hoist a large flag between two fire trucks.

>>> Army veteran Paul Bradshaw pauses for a moment before Tacoma's first military parade in 50 years.  Bradshaw's son, 1Lt. Brain Bradshaw was killed in Afghanistan in June 2009.

>>> Bob O'Neal, Color Guard commander of the Washington Society of the Sons of the American Revolution said he was honored to march in Tacoma's parade.

>>> Chris Kasperson said he was excited to see the parade as he waited at Tollefson Plaza.

>>> Standing on a balcony high above the parade, this group showed its patriotic pride.

>>> As members of the Tacoma Fire Department salute, the colors pass.

>>> Alice Miller and John Roten, World War I reenactors, marched in Tacoma's Military Parade in honor of those who served in The Great War.