The National Memorial Day Parade is held annually in Washington D.C., since 2005. The parade has been a popular destination for thousands of Americans to come together and honor the men and women who have served in uniform from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has sought to educate the public about the meaning of this hallowed day. For nearly 70 years, Washington, D.C. was without a parade on Memorial Day despite the fact that Memorial Day parades have been a tradition in cities throughout the United States for well over a century. Ever since the American Veterans Center and Music Celebrations International started the National Memorial Day Parade, it has quickly become an event for the entire country and a major parade, which draws mainstream media attention and Hollywood stars to participate in honoring those who have died in American military service. The National Memorial Day Parade has become an event in which Americans of all ages and generations can participate. In 2006, the parade drew over 250,000 spectators and significant national media attention. The parade includes nearly 200 elements, including Government nominated marching bands, active duty and retired military units, youth groups, parade floats, celebrities, VIP's, as well as hundreds of veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The parade is aired in syndication on various local stations across America but is aired internationally via American Forces Network along with being streamed live online.