TUNKHANNOCK -- For decades, people in Tunkhannock have been honoring fallen soldiers with an annual Memorial Day parade, but for the past three years there's been a new tradition added: a balloon release for every fallen soldier in Pennsylvania.
Hundreds of people lined West Tioga Street in Tunkhannock to watch the annual Memorial Day parade go by.
"My earliest memories of Tunkhannock have been the parade. 40 years back I can remember going over to the baseball fields and honoring our veterans," said Kathy Franko of Tunkhannock.
For decades this is the way the community has honored those who gave the greatest sacrifice for our freedom.
"We've all been in the war. We've been shot at. We've seen our comrades fall and we need to honor those comrades," said Francis Turner with American Legion Post 457.
One of those fallen comrades, is Staff Sgt. Steven R. Tudor from Tunkhannock.
Tudor was killed in combat in 2007 in Baghdad. And for the past three years his sister has been honoring his memory in a very special way.
"Before my brother was killed, it honestly was just another day off, barbecuing. It was great. Since then I know it is so much more," Kendra Lynn said.
Now she walks holding a balloon for her brother along with dozens of volunteers holding balloons for every soldier from Pennsylvania who's given their life for freedom.
At the end of the parade, hundreds gathered at Keefer's ball field for a barbecue and the final tribute: releasing the balloons.
"It's so important to honor and never forget our fallen men and woman that gave the ultimate sacrifice and that's their life for us!"