The streets of Muncy will be filled with martial music and patriotic airs as the borough hosts the annual Lycoming County Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 9. The parade will step off promptly at 2 p.m. and form at Musser Lane at 12:30 p.m.
Doug Lane, President of the organization that puts on the parade, stated, “We welcome everyone to come out and show your support for our nation’s Veterans.”
This year’s Veteran’s Day Parade will be a vibrant display of unity and diversity, with a wide variety of groups and organizations participating. From military contingents to veterans’ groups, and musical bands led by the Muncy High Band and Hughesville High Band, with all Lycoming County high school bands invited to join, there’s something for everyone to connect with.
There will be floats, fire companies, police and first responders, antique cars, and motorcycle clubs.
The Nittany Highland Pipe Band, composed of musicians from central Pennsylvania, will also be parading. Founded in 1973 near Pennsylvania State University, the band maintains an active schedule of parades and performances, performing, promoting, and perpetuating Highland bagpiping and Scottish drumming skills and traditions. The Nittany Highland Band proudly honors our Veterans at the 2024 Lycoming County Veterans Day Parade.
The parade will be led by the Pennsylvania State Police, followed by the Edward J. Smith VFW Post 3428 Color Guard, Parade Grand Marshal SSG Charles E. Schreck, Parade Ambassador is Sgt. Barron L. Zimmers USMC.
Muncy is bursting with pride to host the Lycoming County Veteran’s Day Parade. Bill Scott, a council member, told Webb Weekly, “The borough of Muncy is proud to honor and recognize our nation’s veterans and service members. We are excited to have the borough of Muncy host this year’s Veteran’s Day Parade on Saturday, November 9, and we can’t wait for you to join us in Celebrating our Veterans.’’
The parade route is from Musser Lane and straight down Main St. to Mechanic St. It is not too late to be a part of the parade, as our men and women who served and gave us our freedom are honored.
The reviewing stand will be at Brelsford Motors. The Reviewing Officer will be Staff Sergeant Martin Payne, a Vietnam War Veteran. Alongside him will be two Judges, Ann Marie Baker and Alivia Tagliaferri.
The Jersey Shore Veterans Council Honor Guard will be in attendance to honor our Veterans. After Father Bert Kozen offers the prayer and invocation, the National Anthem will follow, and the Honor Guard will render the 21-gun salute and “Taps” for our deceased veterans.
For many years, beginning in the 1920s, an annual parade was held here in Lycoming County to mark Armistice Day — the end of World War I. This rich tradition later evolved into a parade recognizing all veterans when the date became known as “Veterans Day.” This celebration of patriotism, deeply rooted in our history, continued until it seemed to fade away in the early 1980s.
It was revived in 2013 at the behest of a committee made up of area veterans put together by and encouraged by then-State Representative Rick Mirabito and groups such as iHeart Media. It was decided to rotate the parade among the various communities in Lycoming County. The first revived parade was held in the City of Williamsport and is now held the Saturday nearest to Veterans Day.
