Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson East traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade. The decorated gymnast served as Grand Marshal while celebrating the holiday with her husband and three children.

On May 25, the 34-year-old showed up with her three kids, Drew, Jett, and Bear. She captured those heartfelt moments through her Instagram stories, with a message.

“Such an incredible day,” one of her stories read. Another photo captured her youngest son high-fiving the service men and women, and Johnson captioned, “giving all of the service men and women high fives and thank yous!!!”

The 2008 Olympian initially served as a Grand Marshal for the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade. And as a snippet from the event, the American Veterans Center’s official Instagram account posted her as well.

Johnson herself shared several wholesome shots with her daughter, Drew, both wearing matching hair ribbons. Some photos also featured her husband, former NFL long snapper and Vanderbilt alum, Andrew East.

While this marked a moment of family bonding for Johnson, this wasn’t the first time she had included her kids in such big events.

Shawn Johnson Experienced the 2024 Paris Olympics With Her Family

The Paris Games marked the first big event Johnson covered with her husband and three kids. From performing in the Olympics to witnessing it with her family, she shared what the impact was like.

“I've been telling people I remember being at the Olympics in 2008, thinking this is the epitome of success and joy in my life," Johnson shared in an interview with Parents. "I'm going back with my husband and kids, and it feels so much better, like this is better than any gold medal.”

Earning one gold and 3 silver medals in the Beijing Olympics, she knew the undeniable grandeur of this event. However, sharing that moment of joy with her family seemed to have intensified it.

"I think there is something really special about the Olympics that is so unique, and they're so grand,” she added. “To be able to share that with him (Andrew East) … (and) my kids a little bit seems pretty cool."

Moving forward, can you name another Olympian who had a family bonding moment at the Paris Games? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi