WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — November is a time to honor local veterans and the community did so in a big way on Sunday in Luzerne County.

One of the largest veterans parades took place from Kingston to Wilkes-Barre.

Veterans, active military members and others who served crossed the Market Street Bridge from Kingston to Wilkes-Barre on Sunday afternoon.

They were given a patriotic show of appreciation all the way to the public square.

“Yes, 20 years, it’s hard to imagine how long it’s been,” said Susan Allen, chair of the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade Committee and veteran lieutenant commander of the U.S. Navy.

Lieutenant Commander Allen served in the Navy for twenty years.

She also served on the Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade Committee for 20 years after transferring to Avoca in the early 2000s.

“When I retired I was asked to stay on the committee and now I am chairman and every year it is an honor to be here to honor our veterans,” Lt. Commander Allen explained.

People lined the sidewalks to honor those who served this country and were not fortunate enough to return home.

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‘And who are not lucky enough to come back intact. We have to show that we have respect,” said Helen Grebsky of Pringle.

Helen Grebsky was also there to honor someone special in her life: her father, a World War II veteran.

Members of the 109th Field Artillery Army unit, sea cadets and American Legion Riders Post 781 were among those honored.

“Today we saw little children waving flags, parents waving flags. They are so proud and this parade is just as important as any other parade where we show our vets that we support them,” said Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown.

For Grebsky, that support and honor doesn’t just happen around the holiday.

She makes sure veterans know they are loved every day.

“The little bit I volunteer helps these veterans know how I honor them,” Grebsky explained.

This year’s Wyoming Valley Veterans Day Parade coincided with the 249th anniversary of the US Marine Corps.

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