Thousands Line State Street For Memorial Day Parade

(CBS) -- Thousands on Saturday lined State Street downtown for Chicago's annual Memorial Day parade, said by the city to be the largest of its kind.

Area high school marching bands, drum and bugle corps took part, along with a number of veterans' groups and 6,000 junior ROTC cadets.

Mixed in among the bands and marchers was a procession of antique military vehicles to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the USO of Illinois.

And Macy's flagship State Street store brought out its century-old American flag, which is some 5,000 square feet in size and is said to be the world's largest American flag. More than 80 Macy's associates carried the flag down State Street.

Earlier Saturday, the mood was somber at Daley Plaza, during a wreath-laying ceremony honoring service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.