ATTLEBORO -- History was made in Attleboro Monday as the 2008 Memorial Day Parade wound through the city's center, this time in a unified effort with the proud people of South Attleboro.

In the past, South Attleboro held its own parade. But this year, leaders who live in that section of the city, decided to team up with the rest of the city and put on a parade that would make everyone in Attleboro proud.

And did it ever.

In addition to the regular contingent of marchers -the police honor guard, Scouts, Revolutionary War re-enactors, the Attleboro High School Band, the Bishop Feehan High School Band, baton twirlers, flag bearers, color guards, cheerleaders, politicians and, of course, the honored veterans - parade watchers got to see the 2nd U.S. Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Hill, N.C., perform as well as observe a Blackhawk helicopter flyover from the Army National Guard Headquarters in Milford.

The skies were clear and the sun shone auspiciously, and the near 80-degree heat was blessedly tempered by cooling breezes. Some civilians wore hats in honor of family members who had served in the military, such as Clara Beechey of Attleboro, honoring her father, William C. Beechey of Rehoboth, who had served in the First World War. Clara Beechey later joined Rehoboth's Junior Post 302. She uses a wheelchair now, having recently traded in the bicycle with which she formerly cut a familiar figure around the city.

The Army Blackhawk helicopter flyover passed over the city twice. The second run came at the request of Attleboro Veterans Agent Peter Rego. Plans had called for a flyover of fighter jets, but the planes were called elsewhere at the last minute, Rego said.

After the parade had wound its way along downtown to Capron Park on County Street, the Marine Band, resplendent in their crisp uniforms and highly shined shoes, reassembled in chairs near a podium set up for speakers and played several selections including "America the Beautiful."

Connie Uriot, administrative assistant to Veterans' Agent Rego, said the band agreed to come only after strong efforts by the Attleboro War Veterans' Council and the Attleboro Youth Commission. This 30-member group, commissioned only last fall, sold flowers on Mother's Day to raise funds to feed the band. The school department donated two buses to bring the band members up from the Newport Naval Base where they had been staying since Friday. Breakfast was served to the band at the Highland Country Club.

Rego kicked off post-parade ceremonies by making reference to South Attleboro's participation.

"One community, one zip code," he said. "United we stand."

State Rep. Elizabeth Poirier, R-North Attleboro, called attention to the solemnity of the occasion by naming people from the area who lost their lives since Sept. 11, 2001, including the local victims of the terrorist attacks in New York, and the many area soliders who have been killed in Iraq.

Mayor Kevin Dumas said such people should always be remembered.

"People who put their lives on the line for us we owe them not just this day but every day," and " remember: They continue to fight for our liberty each and every day."

Dumas also noted the many monuments in Capron Park dedicated to those who have served. City Council President Frank Cook introduced his fellow elected municipal officials, and then recalled that this is the 140th Anniversary of Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day.

"Of the approximately 6,000 people living our community in 1860, more than 600 put on the blue uniform of the Union and marched off to war. More than 60 of those men never returned."

"Always remember the importance of keeping this day as a tribute to the sacrifice of those who served and died for us," he said.

At the close of the ceremony, Attleboro War Veterans' Council Commander Gary Middleton unveiled a new monument for the Park, the Veterans' Memorial Triangle, beneath a shade tree near the public works building.

The Marine Band then played the Caisson Song ("Over hill, over dale "), and rifles and muskets fired in salute to those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the name of freedom.

Finally, Veterans' Assistant Uriot ably sang "Day is Done," known as "TAPS," a capella, followed by the Marine Band's performance of the stirring tune led by the solo trumpet.

Rego then pressed Dumas, Uriot and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band into service one last time for an enthusiastic rendition of "God Bless America."

Memorial Day parades were also held Monday in Foxboro, Mansfield, Norfolk, Norton, Rehoboth and Wrentham.