Memorial Day parades and ceremonies held in Blair County

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Hundreds of people in Blair County lined the streets for Memorial Day Parades on Monday.

Altoona’s parade formed at 8th Avenue and 17th Street at 10:00 a.m. and began shortly after at 10:30 a.m.

This year’s parade included the Jaffa Shrine Band, Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, the United States Armed Forces Mothers, and the Altoona Area Junior High School Band.

“It means a lot. We honor our veterans that are deceased. And we honor also the ones who are living. It’s a great day for the veterans of Blair county and all over the United States of America. And we’re glad to have such a nice parade,” Lloyd Peck, Senior Vice Commander of the Blair County War Veterans Council, said.

A service was held at the Robert E. Laws Veterans Mall in Downtown Altoona after the parade. A flag was raised along with a gun salute and bugler playing “Taps”.

“They say so, so few gave so much. And it’s true. We, we enjoy the freedoms we have and the opportunities we have because of their sacrifice and the sacrifice of the families. So it’s that important for us,” said Mike Blackie, Chief Chaplain of Blair Emergency Services Chaplain Platoon.

Duncansville also held a Memorial Day Parade on Monday at noon along 3rd Avenue.

The parade included high school bands, Jaffa Shriners, the Boy Scouts of America, and local fire departments. The Duncansville VFW says they’ve been doing the parade since the late 1960s.

“We want to honor this time that they have given the ultimate sacrifice and those that have come back that are not totally whole. And we want them to know that we appreciate all that they have done and we hope to continue to do this for years to come,” Duncansville VFW Auxiliary President Mary Dively said.

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Hollidaysburg, Tyrone, and Claysburg also held Memorial Day parades on Monday.

If you know of a veteran that needs help, reach out to your local VFW or American Legion. For resources for veterans and service members, visit PA.gov .

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