One of the region’s few remaining World War II veterans served as the grand marshal in Tamaqua’s Veterans Day Parade on Saturday.

Ninety-year-old Robert Rarick, a Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Theater, was honored during the march held in biting cold temperatures on Broad Street.

Rarick rode in a car just behind the American Legion color guard. The car was a convertible but the top was up because of the freezing weather. Still, Rarick had his window down and smiled as he waved to the spectators along the route.

Afterward, Rarick greeted fellow veterans and other well-wishers while walking with a walker. He was accompanied by his grandchildren, Tressa Barron and Jake Barron.

Rarick said he served four years on a destroyer in the Pacific during World War II.

The parade was organized by Dave Meredith, adjutant of the Tamaqua American Legion Post.

Post Commander Thomas Isleib said he was pleased with the turnout of people considering the frigid conditions.

“I expected less (participants) with the weather,” he said. “Still, the weather cooperated,” noting the temperatures rose considerably from a few hours earlier and the wind had lessened.

“Of course I would like to see a better turnout,” Isleib said. “We did what we did because we wanted to do it. Not for accolades. Not for thank you. We served so others wouldn’t have to.”

Isleib said he is very disappointed with the National Football League and its owners for their indifference toward “The Star-Spangled Banner” and American flag. He said the Legion Post has discontinued showing NFL football games and some members even got rid of their NFL memorabilia.

On another note, Isleib said the Legion has already begun planning for a 2018 Memorial Day parade, which will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day.

After Saturday’s Veterans Day parade, the color guard of the Legion had a gun salute in front of the Post.

The parade was headed by the Tamaqua Police Department, followed by the color guard.

The Tamaqua Area High School Band played patriotic selections along the parade route such as “This Is My Country” and “God Bless America.”

Boy Scout and Girl Scout members took part, some carrying a large American flag.

A couple of military vehicles were in the line of march. One of them had a German shepherd, signifying the importance of war dogs in the military.

Also participating were Tamaqua Fire Department with nine pieces of apparatus. Tamaqua Rescue Squad with two pieces, Tamaqua Ambulance, Hometown Fire Company with three pieces, West Penn Fire Department and Tuscarora Fire Company with two pieces.