Spectators lined both sides of the roadway inside Eisenhower Park Saturday as a M4 Sherman tank rolled onto Park Boulevard.

Some waved, many filmed on their phones and others applauded as the authentic World War II-era tank anchored the rear of a parade featuring vintage military armored vehicles.

The tank, one of more than a dozen vehicles on display courtesy of the Museum of American Armor in Old Bethpage, was a highlight for many in attendance at the event, held during Memorial Day weekend to honor the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Nassau County hosted the event in conjunction with the museum, drawing hundreds of people to the park for an up-close view of some of the vehicles that helped the Allies prevail in the second world war.

The vehicles were on display for several hours prior to the short parade through the East Meadow park.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman reflected Saturday on the meaning of Memorial Day, which honors the service members who died in combat.

“We can never, ever adequately repay that debt,” he said during a ceremony after the parade. “But what we can do is take time out of our Memorial Day weekend, like you are all doing here today, and remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives defending this country.”

Retired Col. Jason Halloren, a trustee of the Museum of American Armor, said in an interview he hopes people come away from the event with “pride in the country.”

“I always say that I just want to play my position," he said. "Right now my position is helping people remember and explain it for those that didn't get the opportunity to serve."

Tony Perso, 62, of Huntington, was among the Long Islanders who attended Saturday's event. He had his sights set on one vehicle: The M3 half-track armored personnel carrier that was used on all major fronts during World War II. As a young kid, he said he used to climb and play on a similar vehicle that his grandfather owned and stored on the side of his Brooklyn home.

“This one’s in a lot better shape,” Perso said, adding that his grandfather’s vehicle didn’t have guns like the museum's version.

He said he was about 7 or 8 when he last saw his grandfather’s vehicle. When his grandfather died, his children may have decided to junk it, he said. 

“Nobody remembers where it went,” he said.

Army veteran John Katinas, 81, of Bellerose, showed his 14-year-old grandson, Cooper Katinas of Garden City, the equipment aboard the Class 500 fire truck, a most commonly used fire engine at Army installations, according to the museum.

“We're taking a walk, a stroll through memory lane,” he said.

Oliver Martinez of Connecticut, a museum volunteer, was seated in the back of the M3A1 scout car to answer questions as people passed.

He said most questions he fielded were about the unditching roller on the front of the vehicle.

“I think it's just a weird object that people don't know what it's for,” he said, explaining how the roller helped the vehicle navigate through small ditches or trenches.

Makeda Governali, 44, of Levittown brought her two children, Lorenzo, 8, and Ivette, 3. Asked which vehicle was his favorite, Lorenzo pointed toward one of several Jeeps.

After a moment, though, he reconsidered and said, “I’ll go with the tank.”