Caroline Bochman has watched the Firefighter Memorial parade every year since she moved to her Elm Street home 13 years ago.

On June 11, she again sat with neighbors Peter and Sara Gebhard on the stone wall edging their property. The Dartmouth High marching band led the convoy of firefighters, trucks, and flags from the District No. 1 station on Bridge Street, and up Elm Street to the South Dartmouth Cemetery.

"People don't know about it. It's only if you hear the noise. We've been hearing the noise for years," said Bochman.

"It's always the second Sunday after Memorial Day," the Gebhards chimed in.

About 60 people gathered in the cemetery for the approximately 60-year-old tradition. Each of Dartmouth's three districts read the names of firefighters who have passed away, sounding a bell for each name.

"The Memorial Day parade got rained out for the past two years. Firefighters' Day is sunny, bright, and warm. We'll take it," said District No. 1 Fire Chief Brad Ellis, referencing the 70-degree weather.

Ellis continued to say he was impressed by the parade. Entering his second year as a Dartmouth fire chief, he could only compare the memorial parade to Milton's, where he previously served.

"Everyone's involved [here]. The community, the school," he said.

"It's the biggest turnout we've ever seen," added District No. 1 Deputy Chief Jake Bettencourt, who organized the parade. Bettencourt added that managing the parade is simple. The tradition is so established that the pieces fall in place easily, he said.

He added that the record turnout may be influenced by the "pretty important people" who had passed within the last year. He named Ryan Ferreira, Joe Ormonde, Kim Baker, and Stan Bettencourt.

The 30-person mix of high school drummers, flutists, clarinetists, and piccolo and trumpet players — under the direction of middle school Music Director John Sousa — recognized the former firefighters with a performance of "Taps" at the cemetery. Wreaths were also placed around town for each district.

Following the ceremony, the districts and community members gathered at the 10 Bridge Street station for pastries and coffee.