After a year’s absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carbon County’s largest tribute to veterans - the Summit Hill Memorial Day Parade - will kick off at 11 a.m. Monday on Ludlow Street in the community.

“Last year was a tough year,” said parade committee Chairman Thomas Vermillion. “We started to question whether we could have a 2020 parade toward the end of March. We were hopeful until probably early May. As the pandemic worsened and more restrictions were put in place, we decided to cancel. That was only the second time the parade was canceled since the early 1980s.”

He added, “Looking back on it, we know it was the right decision. 2021 will be an interesting year. Many groups, including bands and youth organizations, have not had regular contact with each other until recently. Unfortunately, COVID-19 will again impact this year’s parade as many of those groups won’t participate. But we’re thankful there will be a parade in 2021, and most importantly, the Legion will have its program in Ludlow Park to honor the fallen veterans.”

Before the parade, the community’s traditional memorial service, hosted by American Legion Post 316, Summit Hill, will take place at 10 a.m. in Ludlow Park, where retired Lt. Col. John McFadden, a Summit Hill native, will deliver the keynote address.

In lieu of a grand marshal, the parade committee, in cooperation with Post 316 members, has opted for the parade to be highlighted by honoring borough residents who served our country during the Korean War.

Vermillion said, “The Legionnaires made the decision, fully supported by the parade committee, to honor all Korean War veterans as this year’s grand marshal(s). It’s great to give recognition to all who deserve it. We also plan to honor the four men that were killed during the war. It will be a great tribute to those who served during the Korean War.”

The four soldiers Vermillion referred to are the late Kenneth J. Breslin, John A. Furst, Zeno M. Pampanin and Bernard J. Olsovsky, who made the supreme sacrifice during the war.

Meanwhile, Post 316 members have identified some of the other veterans of the Korean War who they want to publicly recognize, although participation in the parade will be dictated by their health and/or age. They include former individual grand marshals Bernie Markey, John Rutch, Stan Zuber, Thomas Gallagher and the late Joseph Matika, Vincent Valentini and George Davis.

Others include Charles Nihen, Jim O’Donnell, Andrew Snoha, Eugene Sommers, John Citrano, Cory DeLaurentis, Donald DeMatto, Mario Iezzoni, Joseph Ciavaglia, James Klinger, Harry Miller and Joseph Zuber.

Committee members are asking borough residents who served in the Korean War who wish to participate in the parade to register at the committee’s website, www.summithillparade.com, or by calling the Legion at 570-645-9520. Likewise, Vermillion said other individuals/organizations who have not registered to participate in the parade can still do so.

The parade will consist of three divisions with its lineup as follows:

Division 1

Forms on Ludlow Street, from Walnut to Market, and Market Street, from Ludlow to Hazard streets: Summit Hill Police; grand marshals - Veterans of the Korean War; Summit Hill American Legion Post 316; Summit Hill American Legion Auxiliary Unit 316; 2021 Poppy Queen Aubrey Delaney; American Legion 30th District Commander; Summit Hill Sons of the American Legion, Post 316; Summit Hill Mayor Paul McArdle; Summit Hill Historical Society; Summit Hill Water Authority; Summit Hill Heritage Center; Summit Hill Borough Council; Panther Valley High School Band; Panther Valley High School Cheerleaders; Panther Valley High School JROTC; Anthracite Little League; Summit Hill Girls Softball; Hope of Christ Presbyterian Church, Summit Hill; Shining Stars Pre-School, Summit Hill; and Diligence Fire Company No. 1, Summit Hill.

Division 2

Forms on Ludlow Street, from Market to Chestnut streets: Lansford American Legion Post; Lansford American Legion Auxiliary; Panther Valley Riders; Lansford AMVETS Post; Lansford Mayor Michele Bartek; Lansford Police; U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser; state Rep. Jerry Knowles; Jim Thorpe Area High School Band; Carbon County Veterans Affairs Director Christine LeClair; Carbon County Sheriff’s Department; Jim Thorpe Ancient Order of Hibernians; PA Outdoor Veterans; PA National Guard, Lehighton; Lehighton Fire Department; Lehighton Ambulance; American Fire Company No. 1, Lansford; Hose Company No. 1, Nesquehoning; New Columbus Fire Company; Hauto Fire Company; Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Company No. 1; and Mahoning Valley Ambulance.

Division 3

Forms on Ludlow Street, from Market to Chestnut streets: Schuylkill-Carbon Marine Corps League; Coaldale VFW Post; Coaldale VFW Auxiliary Unit; Coaldale American Legion Post; Carbon County Navy Club; PA National Guard, Hometown; Nolan Ritchie Stay Afloat Foundation; Grace Community Church Vacation Bible School; Pennsylvania Miss Amazing Reilly Bauer; Panther Valley Cub Pack 765; The Dance Factory; Carbon County United Way; Coaldale Fire Company; Hometown Fire Company; Tamaqua Ambulance; Laurel Fire Company; East Penn Fire Company; Citizens Fire Company, Tamaqua; Bowmanstown Fire Company; Franklin Township Fire Company; and New England Valley/Walker Township Fire Company.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the committee recommends Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines be adhered to by all participants in the parade.

“In no way do we condone anyone’s failure to follow these guidelines as they may exist at the time of the holiday weekend. We strongly encourage everyone to practice social distancing and, when necessary, to wear a mask throughout the weekend to ensure for the safety of our community and its residents and visitors alike.”