responders serving as the grand marshals, as new additions honor the heros and the victims, their families forever bonded together. we all support each other, and we all have a connection. sharon and aaron sparks lost their 8-year-old son, jackson, who was marching in the parade with his brother and baseball team. the boys loved christmas. but then there s that weight and that, you know, that you re fighting through. do you think the parade coming back will help with that? i think for a lot of people, it s going to be healing. reporter: they re not comfortable going back this year, but credit the community support for those who do want to attend. the city quadrupled police officer presence and altered the parade route from past year, along with an $800,000 investment in new vehicle barriers. the most important thing is the community feels safe. that s something we can t put a price tag on. reporter: tonight, the town s resilience on full display. remember what a chris