Tamaqua honors veterans with a parade
LIZ PINKEY/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS George Breunig (seated in car, left), a US Navy veteran, wore his 1943 uniform to the Tamaqua Veterans Day Parade. A World WarII veteran, Breunig served as a petty officer, gunner's mate during the War.
Tamaqua held its annual Veterans Day parade on Saturday.
The parade was the largest veterans parade in recent years and organizers were thrilled with the turnout. Tamaqua mayor Christian Morrison, who helped to coordinate the effort, thanked everyone for their help. "We had quite the turnout for the parade," he said. "Several cub scout and girl scout troops, some VFW and Legion members, the Salvation Army, several fire companies, students from St. Jerome's and Tamaqua Elementary, the Tamaqua High School Band and the Varsity girls soccer team, the District Champs, all marched in the parade. "
George Breunig, who served in the US Navy during World War II, as a petty officer, gunner's mate, also rode in the parade. He wore his actual Navy uniform from 1943. "His daughter called us and asked us if he could participate," said Morrison. "We were thrilled to have him and honor him in this way." Following the parade, members of the American Legion attended a brief ceremony, including a 21 gun salute and the playing of taps at the soldier's monument at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Afterwards, the group gathered at the American Legion in Tamaqua for another salute and a speech from Commander Ed Smith. Smith noted that the flags were being flown at half mast not only to honor the Veterans, but also to honor those that were recently slain at Fort Hood. Smith paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the veterans, whose commitment is, in fact a lifelong commitment. "It does not end with the end of our military service," he said.
Smith and Morrison both noted that after a brief break, the parade organizers will begin working on next year's parade.
