Organizers of Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade: I want you -- to attend

Nov. 5—Besides honoring the nation's veterans, there are several other great reasons to attend the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade this year, those who organize the event throughout the year say.

Those who attend will get to see a fly-over by a World War II-era plane.

You can help less fortunate children, as the United StatesMarine Corps Reserves will be collecting new, unwrapped gifts on Public Square as part of its Toys for Tots program.

Plus, it will be around 70 degrees.

"The weather should be great. Seventy degrees on a Sunday in November sounds amazing," said parade committee Chairwoman Susan Allen, a retired Navy officer and pilot.

The theme for the 78th annual parade is "Stand up for America. Salute our veterans."

"This is one of the most patriotic places I have ever served and ever been around," Allen said. "There are so many veterans and we need to honor them and let them know their sacrifices have not been forgotten."

This year's grand marshal is retired Navy Commander Ed Groth and the reviewing officer is retired Navy Rear Admiral Linda Wackerman. This year's recipient of the "Outstanding Veteran" award is Michael Price, of the Army.

Retired Army Col. Charles Luce, a member of the parade committee, said the parade gets three-fifths of its funding from the local unions.

"The brothers and sisters of the Labor Council and Building Trades have been longtime supporters. As a prior chairman and longtime member of the committee, I can say the unions have always been a partner of the Veterans Day Parade," Luce said.

The parade kicks off at 2 p.m. Sunday at Kingston Corners in Kingston and then travels down Market Street, over the Market Street Bridge into Wilkes-Barre, and then around Public Square.

"The committee works hard on this every year. There is so much preparation," said Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown, vice chairman of the parade committee. "This is to honor those who served. I ask you to please come out and show your patriotism and support for the military."

Contact the writer:

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2055, @cvbobkal

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