A parade abundant in community pride paid tribute to military veterans Saturday morning in Tamaqua.

The annual Veterans Day parade had a high school band, Boy Scouts, civic organizations, football players, fire apparatus, and, of course, retired military members.

The march was held under clear skies and despite brisk temperatures attracted an impressive number of spectators along the route along Broad Street.

The parade’s grand marshal, John Angelo, who served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959, rode in an open, white Corvette Stingray convertible.

Angelo was a member of the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Regiment known as “The Old Guard.”

And in his role, he served with the Honor Guard, which kept a continuous watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

He also participated in escorts for then President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as visits from foreign dignitaries and burials at Arlington.

Nearing age 90, he and his wife, the former Jean Metrick, recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Following the parade, service was held at the Tamaqua American Legion Post during which Angelo spoke.

He said, “Too often we look to professional sports or Hollywood productions in search of heroes, yet a much greater case can be made that it is a next-door neighbor, business acquaintance or distant relative who has exhibited the traits most associated with genuine heroism.”

“True heroism,” he noted, “is doing the right thing when duty calls — whether or not anyone knows about it.”

“Most veterans don’t return home looking for recognition; they simple return to being citizens,” Angelo said. “And while no simulation can replace the dangers and horrors of combat, it is up to veterans to bear witness and fulfill the American Legion’s promise to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars.”

The beginnings of Veterans Day, which was originally known as Armistice Day. Nov. 11 was chosen because it marked the end of World War I.

“Not all veterans have seen combat. Many have never been to a war zone, yet since the founding of the United States, an estimated 50 million men and women swore an oath to support and defend the U.S. constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic,” he said. “We swore that we would be willing to die in defense of our country.”

While Memorial Day is about honoring veterans who never made it home, Veterans Day is about honoring those who did, he said. He encouraged all to show their appreciation to veterans.

“Most importantly, as we observe Veterans Day, let us remember that freedom is never automatic nor self-sustaining. Every generation must be willing to defend it,” Angelo said.

The parade was led by the Tamaqua Borough Police Department, followed by the Tamaqua American Legion Color Guard and Tamaqua Ambulance.

Riding behind the grand marshal was Poppy Queen Brinley Boyle, age 5, a member of the Junior American Legion.

The Tamaqua Area High School marching band played military selections along the parade route.

Members of the Tamaqua Area High School football team carried a large American flag.

The Tamaqua Fire Department was well represented, displaying nine pieces of apparatus.

Other fire departments participating were Coaldale, Delano, Tuscarora, Mary D, and Lansford fire police.

Initially, the New England and West Penn Township fire departments were in the line of march, but were dispatched to a fire call just before the parade began.

A cruiser from the Tamaqua Police Department was at the end of the parade with military tunes emitted from its speakers.

One lone marcher, a woman in the parade, carried a large poster with a picture of Kaleb May, an active member of the U.S. Air Force.

Judy Coleman of Tamaqua, a spectator, said she is pleased the borough honors its veterans with a parade. She said she watches the parade each year in honor of her late brother, Pat Coleman of Summit Hill, who served in Vietnam, and her uncle, Tucker Quinn, who was in the Air Force and Army having served in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Lindalee Caudrado of Tamaqua also said she never misses the parade. She has two sons serving in the military. One son, Isaiah Rivera, has been in the U.S. Marines for 10 years and is stationed in San Diego. Another son, Xamier Rivera, is presently in boot camp. One other relative, Zachary Looney, is also a Marine for the past 10 years.

“I’m really happy they’re having this parade and remember the veterans,” she said.