HARTFORD, Conn. -- An estimated 40,000 onlookers are estimated to have turned out for the annual Veterans Day Parade through the streets of downtown Hartford.

Besides the spectators, organizers said there were more than 4,000 marchers in the annual event, which is billed as the largest Veterans Day parade in New England.

The grand marshal was Retired Army Capt. Paul W. "Buddy" Bucha, a Vietnam veteran from Ridgefield and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Forty veterans groups, 25 bands and marchers from units representing 69 towns were scheduled to participate Sunday.

The 1.26 mile-long parade stepped off at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Buckingham and Washington Streets, near the State Capitol, passed a reviewing stand across from the Wadsworth Antheneum and ended on Capitol Avenue.