The grand marshal of Tamaqua’s Veterans Day Parade was part of the U.S. Army’s Third U.S. Infantry Regiment, traditionally known as “The Old Guard.”

And in his role, John Angelo served with the honor guard that kept a continuous watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

He was also on hand for escorts of then-President Dwight Eisenhower, visits from foreign dignitaries and burials for veterans.

“There were always something going on and many duties to do,” said Angelo, 89, of Tamaqua.

After graduating from Tamaqua High School in 1956, Angelo worked nights for the Reading Railroad and days at the former Genetti’s supermarket in Tamaqua.

Soon thereafter, he volunteered.

He was sent to basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in February of 1957, and then to Fort Carson, Colorado.

“I thought I was going to Hawaii,” Angelo admitted.

But in Colorado, he recognized some faces.

About 13 of his fellow servicemen were from Tamaqua. All of them, he said, signed up for service around the same time.

Angelo, who earned the rank of specialist third class, then served for about 19 months in Fort Myer, Virginia, as part of The Old Guard. The base was adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery.

In addition to guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Angelo was on hand for presidential escorts and special ceremonies. He recalled marching along Pennsylvania Avenue as part of one of the biggest processions he had ever witnessed.

He remembered an October 1957 visit from Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip. The couple joined U.S. military officials to lay a wreath at the tomb — and Angelo keeps a photo of the event with his Army memorabilia.

Also that year, preparations began to select unknown service members from World War II and the Korean War to be interred beside the World War I Unknown Soldier.

Angelo served in the honor guard when the unknowns were interred. He keeps a copy of a newspaper from June 1958 reporting on the solemn service.

In addition, he and the honor guard also participated in many burials at the national cemetery, and with his regiment, he helped placed flags on every veteran’s final resting place for Memorial Day,

“It was a great duty,” he said of his service.

He even recalled cutting grass and maintaining the cemetery.

Angelo served for two years, and afterward, began working for United Parcel Service (UPS). He recently celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary with the former Jean Metrick, with whom he had sons, David and Michael, and the late John. The couple has four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Angelo coached CYO basketball for St. Jerome Regional School, as well as Knee-Hi football. He is a lifetime member of the East End Fire Company.

Even though he’ll turn 90 in a few months, Angelo stays active. A few times each week, he exercises at the Perla Power Fitness Center.

He also looks forward to meeting with a group every morning at the Tamaqua Burger King. There, they drink coffee and chat.

“You have to keep active. That’s the key,” he said.

Angelo is honored to have served his country, and is honored to be named grand marshal of Saturday’s parade.

Hosted by the American Legion Post 173, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. from an area near the Tamaqua Insurance Center on East Broad Street. The Legion honor guard will fire a rifle volley over the Rahn Township War Memorial with taps being presented by the Tamaqua Area High School Band.