WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — November is a time to honor local veterans and the community did it in a big way on Sunday in Luzerne County.
One of the largest veterans parades around wound its way from Kingston to Wilkes-Barre.
Veterans, active military members, and others who served crossed the Market Street Bridge from Kingston to Wilkes-Barre Sunday afternoon.
They received a patriotic show of appreciation all the way to Public Square.
"Twenty years, yeah it's hard to imagine how long it's been," said Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade Committee Chair and US Navy Veteran Lieutenant Commander Susan Allen.
Lieutenant Commander Allen served in the Navy for 20 years.
She has also been a member of the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade Committee for 20 years after transferring to Avoca in the early 2000s.
"When I retired I was asked to stay on the committee and now I am the chairman and every year it's an honor to be out here to honor our veterans," Lieutenant Commander Allen explained.
The sidewalks were lined with people honoring those who served this country and who were not fortunate enough to return back home.
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"And who aren't fortunate to come back whole. We need to show that we respect," said Helen Grebsky from Pringle.
Grebsky was also there to honor someone special in her life: Her father who was a World War II Veteran.
Members of the 109th Field Artillery Army unit, sea cadets, and American Legion Riders Post 781 were among those honored.
"We saw little children today with flags waving, parents with the flags waving. They are so proud and this parade is as important as any other parade showing our vets we support them," Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown said.
For Grebsky, that support and honor doesn't just take place around the holiday.
She makes sure veterans know they are loved each and every day.
"The little bit that I do as a volunteer, those veterans know how I honor them," Grebsky explained.
This year's Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade coincided with the US Marine Corps' 249th birthday.
