Residents of the West Side refused to let a little rain put a damper on their holiday as droves came out — with umbrellas in tow — to watch the 126th annual Memorial Day Parade.
But for Henry Rishkofski, this year’s parade was special in a variety of ways.
Not only is the Nanticoke native a veteran of World War II, but the 93-year-old was chosen to act as this year’s grand marshal. Monday was also his birthday.
At the memorial service that followed the parade, Rishkofski was introduced and honored.
And although he did not speak, the crowd was quick to cheer him on as he waved and blew kisses. His family attended the event, including his grandson, Jason Golden. Golden said the holiday is a wonderful day to recognize all military and remember the fallen.
He is especially proud of his grandfather, he added.
“I’m proud to be here with my grandfather,” he said after the event. “I’m honored to have been here and celebrate this with him today. It’s very special, we cherish every year that we get with him. He’s 93 years old today, and he gets to be recognized.
“So this is a wonderful honor.”
As parade-goers picked their viewing spots along Wyoming Avenue, the sound of drums and flashing of police lights could be seen passing under the Cross Valley Expressway.
Making its way down the avenue, the Wyoming Valley West marching band played “You’re a Grand Old Flag” as the school’s color guard waved patriotic flags and cheerleaders performed. Once in front of the Forty Fort borough building, the parade – which began at Kingston Corners – turned as participants entered the borough’s cemetery.
Flags and a memorial wreath surrounded the monument inside the cemetery, as patrons gathered for the service. Master of ceremonies Bernard Shinko, of VFW No. 283 and American Legion Post 395, led the introductions. Longtime parade participant Don Williams read the Gettysburg Address.
This year’s keynote speaker was 1st Sgt. John Paul Karpovich, of the 213th Regional Support Group in Allentown. Raised in Hanover Township in a military family, the 18-year veteran first served in the 109th Field Artillery in Kingston before being transferred to Scranton and Allentown.
As he made his remarks, Karpovich gave statistics that served as a reminder as to why Memorial Day is so important.
He told the crowd that the Korean War took the lives of 38,000 American soldiers — 33 of whom were members of the 109th. During the Vietnam War, 58,000 soldiers never came home, and 5,000 lost their lives while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also recalled two close friends and veterans who lost their lives, making Memorial Day even more important to him.
“I was honored to be a part of this Memorial Day celebration. It was amazing how many people, even with the weather, that came out,” he said. “To stand there and give remarks and just remember soldiers that did not make it home, it really does strike a chord with me.”
Karpovich also asked attendees to remember the families of fallen soldiers, and the sacrifices they now make because their loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice.
“So I ask today that you take time to think about that, because every day for them is Memorial Day,” he said.
The service concluded with the raising of the flag, including a salute from a rifle squad from Post 283 and the playing of taps.
Shavertown resident Susan Ziller said the day is important to her family because her brother was killed while serving in Vietnam. She said attending the parade and service has been a family tradition for generations, and a day to remember and honor her brother.
“We’ve come to this parade ever since since I think I was born,” she said. “It’s always been a tradition.”
Forty Fort Mayor Andy Tuzinski, a Navy veteran, said he was proud of the residents of Forty Fort and the surrounding communities that still decided to come out and honor the military despite less-than-ideal weather.
“I was very proud of the people of Forty Fort, Kingston and the surrounding communities that came out in the rain to remember those who had fallen,” he said.
