Spectator Len Sawicki (right) accepts an American flag from a young participant in Sunday’s Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade.
                                 Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

Spectator Len Sawicki (right) accepts an American flag from a young participant in Sunday’s Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

Veterans Day Parade returns to full scale

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<p>One of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles marched in the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade on Sunday.</p>
                                 <p>Fred Adams | For Times Leader</p>

One of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles marched in the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade on Sunday.

Fred Adams | For Times Leader

<p>Joanne Gagliarei, of Hanover Township, watches the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade from Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.</p>
                                 <p>Fred Adams | For Times Leader</p>

Joanne Gagliarei, of Hanover Township, watches the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade from Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Fred Adams | For Times Leader

<p>The back of the motorcycle of William Stucker of Pittston was adorned with a selection of flags as he rode in the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade on Sunday.</p>
                                 <p>Fred Adams | For Times Leader</p>

The back of the motorcycle of William Stucker of Pittston was adorned with a selection of flags as he rode in the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade on Sunday.

Fred Adams | For Times Leader

<p>Tom Toth, of Ashley, dressed in a World War II calvary uniform of the 4th Armored Division walks over the Market Street Bridge followed by a vintage Navy Staff Car as part of the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade on Sunday.</p>
                                 <p>Fred Adams | For Times Leader</p>

Tom Toth, of Ashley, dressed in a World War II calvary uniform of the 4th Armored Division walks over the Market Street Bridge followed by a vintage Navy Staff Car as part of the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade on Sunday.

Fred Adams | For Times Leader

<p>The 109th color guard stands at parade rest on the Market Street Bridge on Sunday during the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade.</p>
                                 <p>Fred Adams | For Times Leader</p>

The 109th color guard stands at parade rest on the Market Street Bridge on Sunday during the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade.

Fred Adams | For Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE — The area’s ultimate tribute to the men and women who have bravely served on behalf of their country in the armed forces returned to its full glory this year, as the 76th annual Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade made its way through the heart of the city Sunday.

A year after the annual Veterans Day festivities had to be scaled down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade’s full lineup of marchers returned this year to make for a stunning and incredibly moving visual.

“It was great to have everybody back this year, it was incredible to see,” said Wilkes-Barre City mayor George Brown after the parade came to a stop at Public Square.

This year’s parade came with a special theme, “9/11 — We Will Never Forget; Honoring Those That Served,” commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Emergency personnel who answered the call both on and after 9/11 were invited to join in Sunday’s parade by the Parade Committee.

The parade, led by Grand Marshal Lt. Col. Patrick J. Riley, a retired veteran of the United States Air Force, stepped off from Kingston Corners shortly after 2 p.m., making its way down Market Street and over the Market Street Bridge into downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Far from last year’s small group of police and firefighters alone, this year’s parade was a massive collection of all different types of military and veteran organizations, including AMVETS, soldiers from the 109th Field Artillery, a number of different American Legions from around the area and so many more.

The day was scored by the Wyoming Valley Pipe and Drum Band, as well as a number of different high school bands including Wyoming Valley West and Hanover Area.

At the front of the pack was this year’s Outstanding Veteran Award recipient, an award started five years ago by the Parade Committee to honor a truly exemplary member of the veteran community.

This year, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity was chosen for the award, formally receiving it at a brunch earlier on Sunday before the parade.

Garrity served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 30 years, retiring with the rank of Colonel. She served three deployments overseas and received two Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit for her service.

“I’m humbled to receive this award,” Garrity said at the brunch. “Serving my country was, and is, the honor of a lifetime.”

When the parade came to an end, Garrity was impressed with what she saw.

“This was fantastic, this was one of the best parades I’ve been to in many years,” she said. “It’s wonderful that they have kept this tradition going all these years.”

Many spectators lining the parade route were excited to see the return of the Veterans Day parade to its normal size and scale.

“We come out every year. It’s great to see it back to normal,” said Mike Rogowski, who stood on the Market Street Bridge with his daughter, Arianna, to watch the procession roll by.

Arianna mentioned that she enjoyed seeing the long line of classic cars that participated in the parade.

Closer to the Kingston side of the bridge, Len Sawicki waved hello to his wife and daughter as they marched in the parade.

“I think they’ve been doing the parade for 10 years,” Sawicki said. “I’m always here to support them.”