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Peckville Observes Memorial Day

PECKVILLE — The streets of a community in Lackawanna County were lined with red, white, and blue for a parade Monday morning. With lights flashing and fla...
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PECKVILLE -- The streets of a community in Lackawanna County were lined with red, white, and blue for a parade Monday morning.

With lights flashing and flags waving, this parade is the centerpiece of Peckville’s Memorial Day observance. The people who came out are a cross-section of this Lackawanna County community.

Among those leading the way was a veteran of World War II. 91-year-old Claudio DePietro was under the command of General George Patton. DePietro says this day is all about "honor." He's happy to see the big turnout for Peckville's Memorial Day.

“It's an honor as a veteran to see them come out,” DePietro said.

DePietro was joined by 102-year-old Daniel Lucas. He was part of the Normandy invasion that was one of the turning points of WWII.

This was also a parade about the young. 9-year-old Jillian Loff knew why it's important to be here.

“Because for the soldiers that fought and died in the war,” she said.

The Peckville VFW post takes its responsibilities seriously. Chartered in 1947, members have spent the past week placing flags on the graves of hundreds of veterans.

Observing Memorial Day has always been special in Peckville, but it became even more so about nine years ago, because that's when this small town once again, saw the meaning of sacrifice.

The parade stopped at a memorial to Sergeant Jan Argonish. He was killed in an ambush in Afghanistan in 2007. Jan's parents were there as well. His dad wore a t-shirt, with one of Jan's famous phrases: "No worries."

Peter Puhalla, the post commander, said the service and parade are simply something they want to do and have to do.

“We have to honor all of our veterans. It's the highest honor, tribute,” said Puhalla.

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