MAHANOY CITY - The annual Memorial Day parade in Mahanoy City on May 26 will definitely be held this year thanks to last-minute efforts to get everything together in the past two weeks.
The announcement was made Friday by Mahanoy Area United Veterans President William "Bill" Paul at the group's meeting.
"We're going to have the parade. I know we can do this," Paul said. "It will be quite a morning, but we can pull this thing off. That's generally the statement that I wanted to make tonight."
Even though the parade is a go, the Sunday program will not be held, as was announced at the group's meeting two weeks ago. The Sunday program at the Veterans Memorial at Centre and Catawissa streets normally included music, speakers, students, the laying of the wreath and a rifle salute.
United Veterans Vice President John "Jack" Deesing will serve as grand marshal. Deesing had a prospective line-up for the parade at the meeting. Paul said adjustments will be made as needed when the participants show up.
"As you know, we have the bands, and I talked to the fire chief about the participation of the fire companies," Paul said.
Deesing will contact the fire companies and get one member from each for the color guard.
Paul, who is also the president of the Mahanoy Area Chamber of Commerce, received some positive comments Thursday at the annual Mother's Day dinner.
"We had a nice night and people came up and expressed their appreciation that we are going to have the parade," Paul said. "Some people said that they would like to have something in the parade. I told them to have whatever they have at the school by 10:30, and they'll have a spot in the parade."
The plan is to have three divisions as per past years. The first division will be led by the police, a color guard, the mayor and grand marshal and the Mahanoy Area High School Marching Band. The second division will be led by the Amvets Band.
"In between the bands, we'll put the fire companies and some others who we will contact," Paul said. "I think we can fill it up and have a pretty nice parade. There seems to be some enthusiasm from people to show up and do something. They're afraid of losing the parade. I've been asked about next year, but I said it's too early to ask that."
Paul added, "We're not going to give up on it. At least not this year. If we don't get somebody involved of a younger nature, it's just going to die off."
In a related matter, Deesing said American flags will be placed on veterans' graves on May 21. He said veterans will meet Mahanoy Area students at 10 a.m. at the German Protestant Cemetery parking lot.
Deesing also expressed his gratitude for a $95 donation from the Mahanoy Area Education Association. The money was raised through a dress-down day on Feb. 7 at the school district.
The United Veterans will meet May 23 to discuss last-minute details.