LEWISBURG — It rained on Lewisburg’s parade, but a good time was still had by all.
Thousands of people lined borough streets on Saturday for the 14th annual Union County Veterans Fourth of July Parade. Despite a torrential five-minute downpour midway through the event, Valley residents remained jammed three and four deep along the parade route. They were too busy soaking in the sights and sounds of Americana to be bothered by the rain shower.
The parade featured some of the finest marching bands in the Northeast, including the Baltimore Yankee Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps, the Penn York Highlanders Pipe Band, the 28th Infantry Division Band, the Upper Schuykill Marching Band and the Zafar Grotto String Band. However, the loudest applause from the massive crowd of parade-goers erupted every time a veteran marched by.
Bob Lazarus of Montandon was part of the huge crowd. He was enjoying the festivities with his 4-year-old grandson, Connar Forginger of Mifflinburg.
Lazarus said he’s attended the parade each year. The Montandon man was also one of many to stake out their parade viewing post along Market Street hours before the event kicked off.
“We put our chairs out at 9 Friday night,” Lazarus said. “We did it so we’d have a spot.”
Lazarus added being able to watch the parade with his grandson made the day more special than ever.
This year’s parade was also memorable for Ruth Eleanor McCorkill of Northumberland, who was decked out in a patriotic stovetop hat.
McCorkill said she attends the parade annually. She was thrilled this year that her former classmate from Northumberland High School, Maj. Theodore Van Kirk, was serving as parade marshal.
Van Kirk served as navigator of the Enola Gay as it dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II.
“I’ve known him ever since grade school,” McCorkill said of Van Kirk. “He’s a lot of fun and very sincere.”
Immediately following the parade, a special ceremony was held at Bucknell University’s President’s Grove to honor all veterans, including Van Kirk and the late Col. Thomas Ferbee, the bombardier of the Enola Gay. Ferbee’s widow, Mary Ann, traveled to Lewisburg from Orlando, Fla., to serve as parade marshal, along with Van Kirk.
Three locals were also honored during the ceremony with the Union County Veteran’s Distinguished Service Award. Graham Showalter, Union County Veteran’s Fourth of July committee president, bestowed the honors upon Anne Smith of the Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross and veterans Phil Frederick and Tom Reimensnyder.
Showalter spoke highly of the three honorees. He described Smith as “pretty, witty and energetic.”
“If you want a man who is reliable, hardworking and patriotic, you want Phil Frederick on your team,” Showalter added.
He also noted Reimensnyder’s patriotism.
“Tom Reimensnyder is the epitome of what is good in this country,” Showalter said. “No one loves his country more than Thomas Reimensnyder. He represents the very best this country has to offer.”
Congressman Chris Carney attended the festivities and spoke on the patriotism reflected throughout central Pennsylvania.
“I get to brag that I represent Norman Rockwell’s America,” Carney said. “It’s a true slice of Americana here today.”

Kevin Mertz: 570-742-9671
kevin@standard-journal.com