On Saturday, Tamaqua’s ever-busy Broad Street was cleared to make way for the township’s annual Veterans Day Parade.

Viewers braved the morning chill and bundled up just to watch the procession march down the roadway. Dozens of American flags were posted on sidewalk meters in anticipation of the parade, and some people walked up and down the street selling red, mesh-like poppies on behalf of C.H. Berry Post 173 American Legion of Tamaqua, the parade’s organizer.

The procession featured the Tamaqua Are High School marching band, members of the area’s Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts, and a line of army green, military vehicles.

Tamaqua’s mayor, Nathan Gerace, cruised down the thoroughfare in the passenger seat of a bright yellow Chevrolet Camaro.

This year’s grand marshal was U.S. Navy veteran Frank Walton, 82, a post member who enlisted into the military after graduating high school in 1954 and served until 1956.

For many, Saturday’s procession was a chance to take time out of the day and thank those who’ve served.

“(The parade honors) the present, and the past, and the future veterans of the United States who defend the freedom of this country,” David Meredith, parade chairperson and post adjutant, said.“It’s our way of honoring them.”

But the parade was also an opportunity to commend those whose service might have gone unrecognized during their time. In Mike Morgan’s opinion, commending veterans hasn’t always been so communal, nor prevalent, especially in the contentious Vietnam War era, where veterans who fought seemed at odds with a country that believed the war was unjust.

“That’s what (the parade) is for, to let those people know that ‘hey, you aren’t forgotten’,” Morgans, who serves as the post financial officer, said.

After the parade, members of the community were invited to eat, visit and spend time at the Tamaqua American Legion Post, also located on Broad Street. The room was filled with constant laughter and conversation, which was interrupted only by a gun salute that took place just outside the post.

“We try and get the community involved as much as we can,” Morgans said.