Saturday Aug. 16, the Celebrating Military Service parade filled the streets of downtown Tacoma with military personnel and hardware. Hosted by the Daffodil Festival and the city of Tacoma, the parade was started to honor to service members in the area. This is the parade's second year.

2nd Lt. Sean Andrascik, a marine officer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was in the parade. Relatively new to the service, he represents the next generation of service members. "For me it's about honoring those who came before us," Andrascik said of his participation in the parade.

Andrascik joined the Marines after a stint volunteering in Africa. He explained that discussions with refugees and genocide survivors in Uganda and Rwanda left a huge impression on him.

Andrascik said he was impressed with the turn out for the parade and praised the organizers. "It gives some energy to what you do," he said.

Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, herself from a military family, was on hand to introduce floats and participants. After a short mishap with the audio, Mayor Strickland opened the parade by welcoming attendees.

Retired Brig. Gen. Oscar Hillman served as grand marshal of the parade. Hillman is one of three Filipino Americans to be promoted to general officer.

>>> Members of the Tacoma Fire Department raise the American flag over Pacific Avenue in preparation of the 2nd Annual Celebrating Military Service parade. Photo credit: Kevin Knodell

>>> Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland chats with a Vietnam Veteran before the parade. Photo credit: Kevin Knodell

There were stories of heroism from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Parade participant Maj. Jason Waggoner lost his leg in December 2007 while serving in Iraq. Despite his injuries, Maj. Waggoner remains on active duty.

The parade float that usually carries the Daffodil queens each year was used to carry members of a Warrior Transition Battalion, soldiers wounded serving overseas.

Veterans from past wars were honored as well. The American Legion Doughboy Memorial Post marched in WWI era uniforms. Their membership counts veterans of Vietnam, the Gulf War and Bosnia.

>>> Tacoma City Councilman Robert Thoms, a navy veteran, wears his dress whites at the 2nd Annual Celebrating Military Service Parade. Photo credit: Kevin Knodell

The parade reflected the diversity of the military community and its supporters.

Both the re-enactors from Buffalo Soldiers History Museum and the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Seattle-Tacoma chapter were in force. Both groups honor the legacy of African-American cavalry units that became legendary on the Western frontier and in the Spanish American War.

Members of the Filipino Scouts Association wore period uniforms, as members of Filipino Community Alliance in traditional clothes and brightly colored dresses followed.

Smiling members of the Puyallup Tribal Veterans interacted with the crowd, giving out hugs and handshakes as they made their way down Pacific Avenue.

Soldiers from Washington National Guard displayed their local pride, flying a Seahawks flag from their vehicle. The Hawk's mascot Blitz also marched in the parade in recognition of the Seahawks' support for the military.

>>> Lt. Col. Shaugnessy Hodge of the Washington National Guard waves at the crowd as he rides with his family. Photo credit: Kevin Knodell

The Gold Star Mothers marched with pictures of Washington state soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. A sobering reminder of the cost of war in the midst of a mostly joyous occasion.

>>> U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Sean Andrascik waves at the crowd. Photo credit: Kevin Knodell

>>> Members of the Bremerton Submarine Veterans Association wave at the crowd. Photo credit: Kevin Knodell