At 12:55 p.m. the Waltham American Legion Marching Band played a heartfelt “Star Spangled Banner” and the parade set off promptly at 1 p.m. down Highland Avenue under increasingly sunny skies.

The parade was organized by the Somerville Veteran’s Services Department and the Allied Veteran’s Council.  Highlighted at this year’s parade was the 30th anniversary to the end of the Vietnam conflict.  Veterans of Vietnam as well as other conflicts were remembered during a brief ceremony at the Somerville Veteran’s Cemetery following the parade.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone had declared last week that this year’s Memorial Day Parade Sunday would rival last year’s in both numbers and enthusiasm. 

“We want the parade to be a fun occasion for people but we also want to celebrate the service and sacrifice Vietnam Vets made for their country,” said the mayor.  “They will always deserve our gratitude for fighting for their country under extremely difficult circumstances.”

Catherine Senesi, wife of Parade Chief Marshal Francis P. Senesi, said, this is the largest parade with which either Senesi or Curtatone have been involved.  Last Year’s Memorial Day Parade was the first parade to fall under either man’s jurisdiction.

The Memorial Day Parade in Somerville counts among the mayor’s favorite childhood memories, said Curtatone. 

Renewing the strength and enthusiasm of the event is important to the mayor, he said.

“In 2004, we re-established a great tradition in Somerville by restoring the Memorial Day Parade to its former glory,” he said.

“In 2005, we’re setting our sights even higher, increasing the number of bands and marchers, while bringing back last year’s favorites – the Shriners,” he said.

The Shriners, the charitable group affiliated with the Masons who raise money for hospitals through this kind of entertainment, made up the entire third division of the parade.  Their contingent replete with men on horses, miniature antique cars squads, motorcycle wheelies and marching bands, did not disappoint.

Rep. Michael E. Capuano, D-Somerville, was on hand to work the crowd on the parade route alongside Curtatone, as was State Sen. Jarrett T. Barrios, D-Somerville.

Alderman-at-Large candidate Dominigos R. Santos and State Senate candidate Joe Mackey were also out on the route meeting voters and soliciting signatures.

The parade also provides an opportunity for the people of Somerville to get a view of the city’s own talent, said Tara S. Hurly, the Somerville High School cheerleading coach. 

It’s good because a lot of people who don’t usually see them get to see them,” she said.  This was the first year that both the Varsity and JV squads marched together in the parade.

The Somerville Memorial Day parade is among her favorites to participate, said Susan Felshin, a computer programmer who performs research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Felshin said she marched as part of the reenactment 4th Middlesex Militia of Massachusetts.  “Somerville is very diverse, there are all kinds of people together here, and all very friendly.”