Carbon County veterans were honored in Lehighton on Sunday with a four-division parade that was resplendent with marching bands, antique cars, floats, patriotic themes and, of course, scores of military veterans.

The annual Carbon County Veterans Day parade was hosted by the Lehighton American Legion Post. It was held a week later than originally scheduled, postponed from last Sunday because of heavy rain.

Although the number of spectators was low, the parade was filled with enthusiasm, pride and especially reverence.

The weather for the parade featured temperatures in the upper 40s with a vigorous, biting wind that at times made it difficult for participants who were holding signs or banners.

The grand marshals for the parade were members of the Korean War Last Mans Club of the Lehighton American Legion Post 314. Because of their age, all members being in their 80s or older, they rode in vehicles.

The members of the club are Leroy P. Goldberg, Robert D. “Bobby” Berger, Mahlon “Skip” Shaffer, Eugene P. Mermon, Henry B. Bisbing, Lee A. Fatzinger and William Rehrig.

The parade also honored Army Corps veteran Sue Snyder as parade marshal. Snyder rode in a wagon pulled by Clydesdale horses.

Chester G. “Chet” Frantz, a native of Summit Hill, was the parade honoree.

Frantz was a World War II veteran and earned the Bronze Star Medal for assisting a medic in an open field to bring back wounded personnel. He fought in several European battles including the Battle of the Bulge where his division was credited with holding off a trio of enemy divisions.

When the war ended in Europe, Frantz was reassigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Regiment, as part of the occupation force.

The parade was led by the Lehighton United Veterans Organization Color Guard, Sons of the American Legion in Lehighton, and Lehighton American Legion Auxiliary.

The Lehighton Area High School marching band, some 100 members strong wearing flashy maroon uniforms, followed. It was one of five bands in the line of march.

Other high school bands from Carbon County were Palmerton, Panther Valley and Weatherly. The Dieruff High School Band from Allentown and the Allentown Almost Hobo Band also were participants.

Most area fire departments had apparatus in the parade. The Lehighton Fire Department had five pieces of equipment, and a marching unit of about 27 members clad in Navy dress uniforms.

Lehighton Ambulance also had five units in the parade.

Every division was led by a veterans’ organization color guard. Panther Valley units including a JROTC color guard and marching unit from Panther Valley High School were in the front of the second division.

Several military veterans’ groups had their respective representation including the Carbon County Navy Club, Carbon-Schuylkill Marine Corp League, United State Submarine Club and Vietnam War Veterans.

The Carbon 250PA America had a marching unit consisting of young men dressed in blue, Union uniforms, followed by Sarah and John Dalton who were dressed in Colonial America garb.

Carbon County Fair Queen Eva Eroh and Junior Miss Lexi Seiple rode on a float put in the parade by the Carbon County Fair Association, giving the royal wave to the spectators along the route.

Five veterans who recently were awarded Freedom Medals rode in the parade. They are Paul W. Bray and William E. Hines, both of Weatherly; Edward Moyer of Palmerton, and Joseph Pachorkowsky and Scott Reinhart, both of Lehighton.

Girl Scouts had excellent representation in the parade with two different units featured, one of the groups riding a float with a patriotic theme.

Businesses, civic organizations and car clubs with antique vehicles all participated, honoring the veterans.

Several vehicles in the parade, including an oversize Mack truck and a pickup truck, were painted with military themes.

Devon Markle of Palmerton, a spectator, said, “It’s really a nice parade. I’m not a veteran but I’m grateful for their sacrifices; for what they did. I’m glad they’re honored with a parade.”