World War II veteran Daniel Rabayda did more than just speak when he was introduced at the Summit Hill Memorial Day service Monday.

Rabayda, age 90 and grand marshal for the annual parade, sang "God Bless America." Many in the crowd of about 400 sang along.The lifelong resident of Summit Hill who was one of five siblings serving in the military during World War II. He said of his family, "All of us came home from the war. All of us were unhurt."He then rang the large metal bell in Ludlow Park which signaled the start of the parade, a four-division event which took well over an hour to pass.The parade featured Legion posts and other veterans from every community in the Panther Valley. It also had seven bands, including units from Panther Valley, Jim Thorpe and Marian Catholic high schools and Our Lady of the Angels Academy in Lansford.Over a dozen fire departments and several hundred children representing youth groups including baseball and soccer were also in the line of march.Rabayda leadsThe remarkable weather, with temperatures in the upper 70s, proved ideal for the parade and attracted thousands of spectators along the 14-block route.Matt and Danielle Toniatti of State College were present with their children.Matt, a former Summit Hill resident, said attending the parade each year has become "a family tradition" that he hopes is continued by his children. "This is such a great community," he said.Danielle said of the parade, "We love it. We've been coming back for years."Charles Weiksner of Kidder Township said this is the first time he came to the Summit Hill parade. He said, "I've heard so much about it and everything is true. What a fine tribute the community pays to its soldiers."Leading the parade was Rabayda, riding in the front passenger seat of a convertible.Rabayda served 20 months with the 76th Infantry in the European Theater of Operations. He received numerous awards and commendations for his service.Marching behind Rabayda were more than a dozen members of Summit Hill American Legion Post 316.One of the unique attractions in the parade was a firing squad of Civil War unit Co. 81st PA Volunteers, which stopped at the end of each block and fired their loud, long rifles.The Yuengling Beer Wagon and Heisler's Milk Wagon were led by Clydesdales.Fire departments from various stations in Carbon and Schuylkill Counties were in the parade.Winnie the Pooh Pre-School youngsters rode on a float patriotically decorated.Members of the Lehighton Unit of the National Guard received applause along the parade route.PatriotismCarbon County Commissioner William O'Gurek was the main speaker at the Memorial Service in Ludlow Park. He also was the main speaker Sunday during services at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Summit Hill.He said, "Patriotism, dedication and commitment of our service men and women, I believe, runs no deeper across this land than here in Carbon County."He said, "We need to always be award that through generations, our service men and women have always given to us their very best, the result of which is a country that is safe and respected and admired around the world, defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this world had ever known."The national anthem was sung by Panther Valley High School student Kylie Boswell.Other Panther Valley High School students who took part in the program were Mary Lazar, who read the Gettysburg Address; Stephen Reehl who gave the reading of Logan's General Orders, and Hunter Keip, who recited "In Flanders Field."A roll call of deceased veterans was read by Gregory Miller, chaplain of the Summit Hill American Legion. There were 14 veterans from the community who died since last May 30.Mayor Paul R. McArdle Sr. conducted a POW MIA ceremony.Opening remarks were by William K. O'Donnell, commander of Legion Post 316.An honor guard gun salute was conducted by a firing squad consisting of Sons of the American Legion.