It was the Carbon County Veterans Day Parade in Lansford. But a more apt name for this year’s event might be the Carbon County Veterans Appreciation Parade.

The five-division parade, hosted by the Lansford American Legion Post, was held Sunday in Lansford.

It was quite a tribute with participation from veterans’ groups throughout Carbon County, every high school band in the county, youth organizations, fire departments and various other organizations participating, taking over an hour to pass.

During the parade, there was even a flyover by a small, single engine plane, which spewed trails of red, white and blue smoke.

Honored as the Grand Marshal was Richard “Monk” Pogwist, a 52-year member of the Legion Post. Pogwist, a past 30th District Commander, rode near the front of the parade in the back seat of an extended cab pickup truck, driven by a Legion Post member.

Pogwist, a Vietnam War veteran, is a lifelong resident of Lansford and is very active in virtually any event affecting veterans.

During his tenure in the American Legion, he has served three terms as Commander and is currently the post adjutant.

He is a past commander of the Vietnam War Last Man’s Club, a past Carbon County Commander, and is presently a deputy commander of the 30th District of the American Legion.

The parade was held under cloudy skies and periodically a few raindrops fell. But it didn’t deter the crowd or the marchers.

Children were treated to generous handouts of candy by various organizations.

High school bands participating were from Panther Valley, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton and Weatherly, each playing mostly military numbers such as “This is My Country,” “Grand Old Flag” and “America.”

Two vocalists were on small floats on the parade route.

Talented and well-known local singer Angela Nardini of Lansford rode a float placed in the parade by the Lansford Alive organization. She sang “God Bless America” throughout the route, belting the lyrics with the clarity equaling that of the late and great Kate Smith.

Another singer in the parade was Tolan Kunkle who in honor of his brother, Trevor, sang such patriotic numbers as the late Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”

Gulf War Veteran Tom Culler of Albrightsville walked the parade route wearing a shirt explaining that it has been 30 years since the conflict ended.

Fire departments from the Panther Valley made an impressive showing with more than a dozen pieces of apparatus that stretched the length of a full block in the first division.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley and Carbon County Commissioners’ Chairman Mike Sofranko marched in the parade. Wayne Nothstein, Carbon County Commissioner, participated in the parade with the Lehighton Fire Department, of which he is an active member for over 50 years.

Also marching in the parade was Christine LeClair, director of Veterans Affairs in Carbon County.

The Carbon County Submarine veterans had a replica of a submarine on a float.

“This is an awesome parade,” said Traylor Boddick of Jim Thorpe. “It’s very impressive. I think the veterans will be proud.”