WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Traffic stopped in downtown Wilkes-Barre to honor those who have served.
"As the years go by, they're not marching; they're riding in vehicles. We don't have our young veterans so much participating, our WWII, our Korean War vets, now Vietnam veterans. So, it's really nice to see that we can still come out as a community to support and honor our veterans," said parade committee member LCDR Susan Allen.
Parade organizers say this tradition dates back to the first ever Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, marking the end of the first World War.
"Our first parade in Wilkes-Barre was in 1919. We changed the name to the Wyoming Valley Veterans Parade in 1954. We may be, this may be, our 105th parade. It is one of the longest-running parades in the country, and it is the largest parade for veterans in the area," Allen added.
The Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade stepped off just as Mother Nature ended our recent dry spell. Organizer said that kept some crowds away. But for others, it's a tradition they'd never miss.
"Oh I come every year. My husband worked for the Air Force for 32 years as a teacher, and my son-in-law is in the Air Force. I love watching it. I used to watch it from our window, and four years ago, they started bringing it right down to the square," said Maria Guillorme of Wilkes-Barre.
Volunteers handed out three thousand flags along the route. More than 100 groups participated in the parade.
"Our veterans lay their life on the line for us all the time, so this is a great thing that they do this for them to honor them," said Jennilyn Dyer of Shavertown.
"This year, we're actually honoring our veterans who continue to serve. The ones that take off the uniform and put on another uniform of some sort to serve their communities," Allen added.
105 years and counting, this Veterans Day tradition in NEPA marches on.