A week filled with various activities in Carbon County honoring veterans culminated Sunday with an impressive four-division parade in Palmerton.

Virtually every veteran organization in the county was represented. In addition, there were bands, floats, Scout units, first responder apparatus and others paying tribute to those who served.

The parade was hosted by the Palmerton United Veterans Organization. The line of march was interrupted as it moved the length of Delaware Avenue, taking about an hour to pass.

The parade was scheduled to be held a week ago but was postponed because of rain. A fair turnout of spectators attended despite chilly weather.

“It’s great that the community turned out for this event,” Herrmann said. “We appreciate the help from our friends in our neighboring communities.”

He said the parade showed the area has “a lot of respect to our veterans, to all who served and to our first responders.”

The Grand Marshal was Christopher “Chris” Olivia, a lifelong resident of Palmerton. He rode in the parade in an open wagon pulled by a team of horses.

Olivia is a graduate of Palmerton High School Class of 1966. One week after graduating, he and four other members of the class entered the Marine Corps. He served in the Vietnam War.

After his military service, he was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Palmerton for 33 years.

He and his wife, Susan, have a daughter, Susan. He also served as a member of Palmerton Borough Council and Palmerton mayor.

At the start of the parade, a Quilts of Valor award ceremony was held at the Veterans Memorial at the Palmerton Borough Park.

Palmerton, Lehighton and Weatherly high school bands participated in the parade.

Some military veterans chose to represent their first responder units in the parade, such as Wayne Nothstein of the Lehighton Fire Department and Donald Schlier of the New Columbus Fire Department.

Carbon County Commissioner Rocky Ahner said he was impressed with the parade.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “I think there’s a good turnout and it’s good to see so many schools from all over the county represented.”

“Palmerton did a fantastic job of putting everything together and hosting the parade this year,” said Christine LeClair, Director of Veterans Affairs in Carbon County. “The county appreciates their efforts.”

She marched in the first division with Ahner, then headed to the back of the parade and rode with members of the Lansford American Legion Post, of which she is a member.

The Jukebox Cruisers Car Club had 16 vehicles, mostly antiques, in the parade.

Councilman Richard Nothstein said of the parade, “This is a pretty emotional thing for me to know what these guys and gals have gone through. I don’t know how to show the full appreciation they deserve.”

Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko agreed, saying, “I thank the veterans associations for putting together a very nice parade.”

A panel of judges reviewed the parade and awarded prizes in three categories. The winners are:

• Best Appearing Color Guard - Palmerton UVO.

• Best Appearing Band - Lehighton Area High School Band.

• Best Appearing Float - Palmerton Girl Scouts.

Judges were Palmerton Mayor Don Herrmann, Sofranko, Jim Thorpe Borough Council President Greg Strubinger, and Palmerton Borough Council member Richard Nothstein and his wife Darlene.