UPDATED Saturday, July 4, 2009 -- 4:25 p.m.

In 2008, flooding forced officials in Pardeeville to move their Fourth of July parade. This year it's back and some special guests were out to enjoy the festivities.

"It was pretty bad. We were fighting a losing battle from the get go," says Justin Pounders.

This time last year parts of Pardeeville were under water. So city leaders had to re-route the city's annual Fourth of July parade.

Pounders says, "It was total chaos for a while. Cause everything between sandbagging down there... and everybody running around trying to help other people... a lot of hours we put in."

This year the old route has been restored and that's made a lot of people, like 83-year old Arden Klimke, who's riding in the parade very happy. He says, " It makes me feel great."

Barclay on-scene: "Last year the parade that you see going on behind me would've made its way down Second Street. But thanks to pressure from one of Klimke's neighbors, it's been returned to Main Street. "

"Less than two weeks ago we found that it wasn't going to be on Main Street." Earl Rhode, along with a friend, worked for several weeks to get the route changed. He did it because he wanted veterans like Klimke, who was awarded the purple heart, to be recognized for their service and have it done on Main Street.

"Pardeeville has always had their parade to my knowledge, for many many years, on Main Street. So, it just seemed more appropriate. " Klimke agrees. It does seem more appropriate and he's honored to be there. He says, " Well it meant a lot."

There were eight purple heart recipients and one POW honored Saturday. Five WWII veterans, two Vietnam veterans and a Korean War vet were there.