COEUR d’ALENE — The American Heroes Parade on Sunday had National Guard troops, veterans, former prisoners of war, and Coeur d’Alene Tribal veterans.

The veterans and troops received the loudest cheers as they rolled down Sherman Avenue.

Jim Muse of Coeur d’Alene, a U.S. Marine from 1973 to 1979, said coming to the parade every year is a family tradition.

“I like to pass on some of my feelings about patriotism and love of country to my kids,” Muse said. “What touched me the most today was to see the troops and veterans. I could do with a lot less of the politicians.”

Some of the politicians included Gov. Butch Otter and, on horseback, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keith Allred. U.S. Senator Mike Crapo walked the course behind a couple young ladies holding his banner.

Mayor Sandi Bloem cruised the course on the back of a motorcycle.

Members of the Kootenai County Republicans and Democrats showed up in large numbers.

Coeur d’Alene’s own Madison Leonard, who recently became the national 2010 Distinguished Young Woman in Mobile, Ala., rode in a convertible.

The parade had plenty of police and fire personnel, lots of horses (a few pooper scoopers, too), dancers, marching bands, motorcycles, Cub and Girl Scouts, Elks club members, cheerleaders, roller derby girls, and some floats.

Members of the Civil Air Patrol marched with a giant American flag that practically stretched from the north side to the south side of Sherman.

Eight members of the Coeur d’Alene Shrine Club rode one long bicycle.

The grand marshal was Vern Newby, recently retired Coeur d’Alene School Board member.

No candy was thrown to the large crowds along the parade route, but many American flags were handed out.

The parade lasted for more than an hour and a half.

Chris Johnston, an artist visiting from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, said he saw the whole community coming together like a family for the parade.

“I saw a lot of people having fun,” Johnston said. “They were smiling and waving flags. You could see your next-door neighbor going down the street in the parade.”

He was at the parade with his wife, Charronne Johnston.

“I really liked the respect accorded the military,” she said.

They said it was their second time visiting the U.S. during the Fourth of July holiday. “I really looked forward to coming down,” he said.