VERGENNES, Vt. -
Thousands of people showed off their patriotic spirit on Monday in Vergennes, Vermont.
The annual Memorial Day Parade featured plenty of bands, emergency responders and of course veterans.
Although November is still months away the 2012 parade was also about the upcoming election.
Governor Peter Shumlin and the man who wants that title, republican Randy Brock, marched for their own reasons.
"Both my father, my grandfather on my mother's side all were veterans. I'm a veteran. So this is a very special day for us," said State Senator Brock.
"From my dad on down there's so many generations of Americans we have sacrificed so much, our veterans for our freedom," said Governor Shumlin.
It was also a day for State Senator Brock to campaign.
The republican waited until after the session ended to focus on the election and now his goal is to get people to learn who he is and why he's running.
"The race is going to warm up I think a lot and we're going to be very active throughout this campaign season," said State Senator Brock.
That's not the same for Governor Shumlin.
Unlike Brock, the democrat handed out no stickers, and made no pledge that he was ready to run for re-election.
"I'm really not thinking about the campaign. I'm being dead honest with you. I've really got to focus on my job," said Governor Shumlin.
Even though Brock is campaigning, he and Shumlin both agree Memorial Day is much more about honoring the past than the future.
