It's been called "the biggest little parade" in Montana. But the Corvallis Memorial Day Parade seems to get bigger every year.

For 103 years, Corvallis American Legion Post 91 has hosted one of Montana's oldest Memorial Day parades.

Retired Army Col. Ike Slaughter was honored as 2023's grand marshal.

Slaughter was a Special Forces Green Beret who served 30 years in the military and has worked with Post 91 for years.

He spearheads groups that fund Montana vacations for veterans and their families.

"We try to look after the veterans," he said. "The veterans community is very strong in Montana."

“Today is a day of mourning for the soldiers, the men and women that have been killed in battle over the past 200-plus years," he said. "Today is a day of remembrance for them. But also, it’s a day of celebration that we have men and women that are willing to put their lives on the line to defend this country.”

NBC Montana learned this year's parade theme was "Be The One," which emphasizes everyone's responsibility in trying to prevent the alarming rate of suicide among veterans.

But anyone watching also witnessed a slice of America at its most positive.

It was a versatile parade that brought entrants for everyone.

Beautiful horses clip-clopped along Main Street. A band played patriotic tunes. There were farm tractors and countless motorcycles.

It was hard to tell just how many people turned out.

People flooded Main Street and extended long lines along Woodside Cutoff Road.

If you didn't come early, it was almost impossible to find a close parking spot.

It was a huge crowd.

Bekki Brown Hughes has always loved the parade.

The Corvallis High School graduate, class of 1966, never misses a chance to see it.

Visiting old classmates, she marveled at the parade, and the positive feelings the day held for her.

It's "the veterans, the patriotism," she said. "It's the community."

The Corvallis Memorial Day Parade is a day to visit friends and neighbors.

It's a day to remember the heroes who died in the service of their country, men and women who paid the highest price for America's freedom.