Salute Our Troops

Soldiers and their families will be the stars of the largest military parade in state history. The Salute Our Troops parade takes place in downtown Raleigh at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26.

A flyover by F-15E Strike Eagle jets will launch the celebration. Marching the 1.5-mile route will be the parade of marching units from every military branch, bands, drill teams and honor guards. College and high school marching bands plan to join in the fun.

Two Medal of Honor recipients and military families will wave from floats, while armored personnel carriers and mobile missile launch systems trawl along.

Watch the parade LIVE on WRAL.com at 10 a.m. and in its entirety on WRAL-TV at noon. WRAL anchors David Crabtree and Pam Saulsby host from the grandstand, and retired Lt. Gen. Robert Springer, USAF, joins in with expert commentary. WRAL reporter Kim Dean shares the sights and sounds of the street.

Take a look at the parade route here.

Next, join a daylong with festival with military equipment and five NASCAR Sprint Cup cars on display. Paradegoers can even make their own dogtags and sample barbecue from the N.C. Pork Council.

The N.C. Museum of Natural Science and the N.C. Museum of History will be free to active-duty military personnel and their families.

The Carolina RailHawks will offer at least 1,000 free tickets to service members and their relatives.

Get information about downtown parking.

Click here to see more of WRAL's coverage of the lives of soldiers and their families on the homefront.