Donald Kleckner graduated from Tamaqua High School in 1959, but he doesn't get get back there much.

After graduation he served in the U.S. Marine Corps until 1963, returned, got married and settled in Orwigsburg.He makes it a point to make at least one annual trip back to Tamaqua to watch the Veterans Day Parade.He likes to settle in next to a post with a Hometown Hero banner, and he can't help himself he always looks for another Marine."Once a Marine, always a Marine," Kleckner said, as he returned a salute to the driver of the Disabled American veterans van."But all veterans who served the country are united."It was hard to miss Kleckner is his bright red Marine Corps jacket, and after the parade, many veterans and spectators stopped to shake his hand.Kleckner was proud to let them know that his daughter, Donna Dennison, is also a Marine, currently serving in Alabama.The annual Tamaqua Veterans Day Parade, held Saturday, traveled along Broad Street.Charlie G. Hollenbach, 86, a U.S. Army veteran who served in both the Korean War and World War II, was the grand marshal.Since 1987, Hollenbach has served as commander, first vice commander, historian, chaplain, treasurer and volunteer with the Tamaqua American Legion.He is also a life member of the VFW, and a 41-year member of the Citizen's Fire Company and Tamaqua Fire Police.Tamaqua's fire companies participated, as well as the Tamaqua American Legion Color Guard, 2014 Poppy Queen Courtney Kovatch, the Tamaqua Boy Scouts and the Tamaqua High School band."I make it a point to come to the parade every year, and bring my children," said Natasha Bugdanavage, Tamaqua, pushing 20-month-old Hunter and 4-year-old Brooklyn in a two-seat stroller."Their grandfather (Andrew Bugdanavage) served in the Korean War, and I want them to grow up learning to be proud of our veterans."