ALBANY, Ore. -- Thousands of people lined the streets in Albany on Saturday, to honor the men and women who've served our country during the city's annual Veteran's Day Parade.

The parade went through Albany's historic downtown and this year it specifically honored women who've served our country, by naming Women Veterans as the Grand Marshals.

At 11:00 a.m. sharp, the Patriot Guard Riders began the parade.

"This is like the number one thing to do around here on Veteran's Day," said Jim Strawn, a local Veteran.

Known as the largest Veteran's Day Parade west of the Mississippi, organizers estimate 40,000 people lined the streets. There were around 400 riders and more than 200 individual parade entries, including the local Rosie the Riveters chapter (women who worked during WWII).

"It was fun seeing the little boys point at me and say 'that's a girl!' It was a good, fun moment," said U.S. Army Specialist Emily Searls.

Specialist Searls said seeing the display of support for veterans and active military members means a lot to her: "Because sometimes we don't always know that we have this support, so it's cool to see that."