What a great day for veterans in Lansford on Sunday!

With bright sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60s, it was a wonderful day for a parade.There was a good turnout of participants and spectators to make the annual Carbon County Veterans Day Parade very much a success a fitting tribute to veterans.Henry M. Desrosiers, director of veterans affairs, remarked, "I am proud to say that Lansford outdid themselves," referring to the United Veterans Organization of Lansford, sponsors of the five-division march.Daniel Shields of Weatherly agreed. Shields, who served in the military during the Vietnam War, said, "It made my heart feel good and I know my comrades feel the same."It took about an hour for the line of march to pass. The parade was represented by veterans from throughout Carbon County; from Palmerton to Lansford to Kidder Township.Six bands were included in the parade, including four high school bands: Panther Valley, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, and Weatherly. The other bands were the Pocono Region Pipe & Drums and the Bangor String Band.Bill Coll, commander of the Lansford American Legion Post, remarked, "It was a very good parade with a very good turnout. We had good participation."He said the parade was larger than last year's parade and had a lot more spectators.Included in the parade was a Santa Claus, compliments of Yenser's Tree Farm which was promoting the annual "Trees for Troops" campaign, and Uncle Sam, who was Robert Siesputowski, commander of Lansford AMVETS Post 83.Older veterans were transported on the parade route in a trolley.A lot of Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts took part.The parade was led by Chief John Turcmanovich of the Lansford Police Department, and an 11-member color guard of the host United Veterans Organization.The Panther Valley High School Band was in the first division and played such patriotic numbers as "God Bless America."The largest veterans' group represented was the Vietnam Veterans Organization of Carbon County, led by Harry J. Wynn III. There were about 25 marchers.The Lansford American Legion Riders Post 123 looked impressive with 18 motorcycles in the parade.Numerous fire departments were represented and had 17 pieces of apparatus in the line. There were four ambulance corps which brought their vehicles and participated in the parade.After the parade, refreshments were served to participants in the Lansford American Legion Post and the Lansford Fire Company.Among the spectators was Jon Roman of North Bergen, N.J., who was passing through but stopped when he saw there was a parade."This is awesome for a small town," he said of the parade. "I served in Vietnam and this makes me feel real proud. The town should be congratulated."