No matter their level of involvement, veterans make our communities better.

As a small token of their appreciation, spectators flocked to the streets on Saturday to show their support for Tamaqua's Veterans Day Parade.Sponsored by the Tamaqua American Legion, C.H. Berry Post 173, the parade formed in the east end of Tamaqua at Lech's Transportation.It began with a rifle volley by the Legion Color Guard at the Tamaqua War Memorial located near the former Maff Motors.The line of march then proceeded west on Broad Street, and ended at the Broad and Lehigh streets intersection.Charles "Charlie" Linkhorst, 79, of Lake Hauto, served as grand marshal for the parade.Various fire companies from the Tamaqua area participated, as did the Tamaqua Raider Marching Band; cheerleaders; Cub/Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts; Ava Murray, 8, the Tamaqua Legion Poppy Queen; as well as many others.Afterward, spectators gathered for a brief service at the Tamaqua Legion Post, 206 W. Broad St.Jack Kulp, second vice commander and sergeant-at-arms, Tamaqua American Legion, said that our country sets aside Nov. 11 as a special day to honor and remember our veterans. "We should continuously endeavor to serve our veterans as well as they have served their nation."Kulp said the American Legion shows its support through numerous programs."Sometimes all that is needed is a simple 'thank you' directed at the veteran or the family member for his or her sacrifice," he said.Unfortunately, Kulp said, "part of that sacrifice too often includes unemployment or underemployment when the veteran's military service is over."Kulp, who said companies should understand that it's smart business to hire veterans, added that we must not forget the unique needs of female veterans. There are more than 1.8 million women in our country who have worn the uniform.On top of that, Kulp said that one in four of America's homeless population are veterans.Too often today's tattered citizen of the street was yesterday's toast-of-the-town in a crisp uniform with rows of shining medals," he said. "This is hardly the 'thanks of a grateful nation.' "Kulp said whenever we hear a politician rail about the high costs of veterans' benefits, it is up to us to remind the critic about the high cost of being a veteran."It is a cost - blood, sweat and sacrifice - that has produced and protected the greatest nation on earth."