LITTLETON — Many who would be in the parade Monday made their final preparations behind the firehouse as 11 a.m. on Memorial Day approached.

John Piette, assistant Cub master of Littleton's Pack 209, took the time to review some American history with his young charges. He questioned them on the reasons that the fledgling American Colonies had broken away from England so long ago. He had to give them a hand with some of the answers.

Not far away, two Girl Scouts from Littleton, Sabrina Ollerman and Kaitlin Horner, worked to unfurl a good-sized American flag. While Ollerman turned the flag, Horner made sure it flowed properly in the warm morning breeze.

Sgt. Major John Starr of Bethlehem, who was singled out for special honor during the day's remembrance, had more reason than most to mark the occasion.

Starr, 65, was a Marine Corps platoon commander and company leader in Vietnam, serving in Southeast Asia in 1969 and 1970.

Starr, dressed in fatigues, seemed a quiet man, or maybe it was the solemnity of the day for him. Asked about his time in the war, he offered briefly, “It wasn't Tet,” the major North Vietnamese military offensive seen by most as a major turning point in that war. That had occurred the year before Starr arrived in country, but no doubt its effects were still being felt during his tour of duty.

Uptown, a crowd was gathering steadily, filling in the sidewalk spaces along both sides of Littleton's shopping district. Police prepared to close off vehicle access to downtown as soon as they got the word from the fire station that the marchers were set to head out.

When it was observed among the crowd that the day was becoming humid, an Army veteran originally from Louisiana scoffed. Visit the Bayou, if you want humidity, he suggested with a smile.

The parade would complete its course at the intersection that marks the end of retail center. That's where, in 2006, the New Hampshire Legislature approved naming the bridge over the Ammonoosuc River Veterans Memorial Bridge.

According to Veterans of Foreign War officials, research has concluded that over the years 50 Littleton residents have died in action: 21 in the Civil War, 11 in World War I, nine in World War II, seven in the Korean War, one in the Vietnam War and one by “terrorist act.”

As the parade ended, the crowd spread out and covered the bridge.

“I think it's wonderful,” said Roxanne Bowker of the Lions club in Littleton. “It's a time for the whole town to gather and show support.”

The parade concluded two days of remembrance in the Littleton area, including ceremonies at five cemeteries. Starr and members of the 173rd Airborne Society, New England Chapter 9, were the honored guests.