Veteran pops the question at St. Patty's Parade

BOSTON (WHDH) -- An army veteran from Southie paused during the St. Patty's Day parade to pop the question.

This parade proposal got plenty of cheers and tears.

Mark Flaherty was actually walking in the parade with other army veterans when he arrived in front of his girlfriend, Kathleen Duffy, who was standing watching the parade.

Mark got down on one knee and Kathleen was visibly shocked.

It took a little while to get over the surprise, but eventually she said "yes,” in front of all their friends and relatives.

"I got the ring on Thursday and it just worked out that we'd all be together on Sunday. All my friends and relatives would be here so I figured, why not do it in front of everybody?” said Flaherty.

"Perfect, it was perfect. I couldn't have asked, if I had planned what I would want my engagement to be, this was better than that. Like, I couldn't have planned anything better."

Mark and Kathleen have been together for nine years and say they are on cloud nine today.