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Uniontown prepares to celebrate Americanism Day

By Jerry Storey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, April 30, 2006

It's a good day to be an American in Uniontown.

Americanism Day, a patriotic tradition unique to Uniontown, will be celebrated Monday.

Preliminaries will include an invitation-only dinner at 4:45 p.m. at Lafayette American Legion Post 51 in Uniontown. Maj. Gen. H. "Jack" Meir, a city native, will be the keynote speaker. Ron T. Conley, the past national commander of the American Legion will also speak.

But the celebration really kicks off at 7 p.m. with the 73rd Americanism Day Parade. Attracting scores of entrants and thousands of spectators, it is the big parade in Uniontown each year.


The event was started in 1934 by members of Legion Post 51 to counter the communistic May Day celebration.

The Uniontown Legion post still has the duty for preparing for Americanism Day.

In addition to getting the lineup of the parade together, members and other volunteers place 850 American and 50 POW/MIA flags along its route.

Marching in the parade has been a tradition for generations of city residents.

"Some (participants) have been in it every year," said Joe T. Joseph, the Post 51 adjutant who coordinates the march.

There is "tremendous participation" by the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, he said.

Other marchers include seven area high school bands and numerous veterans groups.

World War II veterans have been honored in Americanism Day parades the last few years.

That tradition continues Monday with an appearance by the Armbrurst Soldiers, veterans from the Westmoreland County community, wearing their World War II uniforms.

Local World War II veterans also will be honored, along with veterans from other conflicts, particularly the Iraq War.

The Retired Association of Marines is set to enter two floats in the parade this year, Joseph said.

The Albert Gallatin Area High School ROTC unit will march again, including RandiJo Young and Josha Uasung, winners of prestigous Saber Awards for student cadets.

Joseph said there will also be a convoy of 11 Humvees carrying veterans.

More community groups are entering floats or vehicles this year, including entries from Relay for Life and Bossom Buddies to promote cancer awareness.

The Exhchange Club is adding to the the red, white and blue spirit of the parade by passing out small flags along the route, Joseph said.

The Theodori family will enter a team of horses and a carriage.

Fire engines and ambulances from a number of volunteer companies will end the parade on a high note.

The parade lines up at 6 p.m. along East Fayette and adjacent streets near the Uniontown Area High School. The march heads west along Fayette Street, turns right onto Morgantown Street and right again onto Main Street.

At Gallatin Avenue, the parade turns left and marches to the Post 51 review stand at Legion Post 51.

The parade breaks up two blocks past the review stand, at Lenox Street.

A detailed lineup has been drawn up by Joseph. However, latecomers may fall in with the last division before the fire trucks.

A number of county and local officials and candidates will be marching but political advertising is forbidden.

Because of safety concerns, throwing candy or novelties from vehicles also is no longer permitted.

Parade co-marshals are Meir and Fayette County Commissioner Joe Hardy.

Other dignitaries in the parade are James Hales, state commander of the American Legion; Joan Renoehl, president of the state auxiliary; and Bill Stranch, hear of the state Sons of the American Legion. Amvets state commander John Moores is also taking part..

Following is the Americanism Day Parade lineup:

Division One: Formation point corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and East Fayette Street, Uniontown City Police, state police at Uniontown, District Attorney Nancy Vernon, Fayette County Sheriff's Department and Search and Rescue Unit, Uniontown Mayor James Sileo, parade co-marshals Maj. Gen Mier and Fayette County Commissioner Joe Hardy, American Legion Post No. 51 honor guard, Commander Loretta Imler, First Vice Commander Lou Giachetti, Americanism Chairman Joe T. Joseph, Victor Kozares, Poppy Queen, and Ladies Auxiliary, State Auxiliary President Joan Reinoehl, Past National American Legion Commander Ron Conley, American Legion State Commander James Hales, Past National Vice Commander Terry Lewis, Pa. Adjutant Kit Watson, Alternate NEC Officer Richard Coccimigilio, Past Pa. Commander Robert Shalala, Past Pa. Commander R. Raymond Lenz, Pa. Membership Chairman Pete Ritzo, District 24 Commander Ron Duerring, District 25 Commander Russell Cecchine and Western Vice Commander Kerrie Gill Sr., District 32 Commander Robert Munhall, Past District 25 Commander Joseph Shyrock, Pa. SAL Detachment Commander Bill Stranch, Pa. SAL Americanism Chairman Brian Dudley, Fayette American Legion Commander Rob Hixson, AMVETS Commander John Moores, VFW Band, Uniontown Firemen marchers, Vietnam Veterans, Post 112 Meyersdale, Post 445 Berlin, Post 824 Dorie Miller, Post 499 Pt. Marion, Post 295 Brownsville, Post 459 Salsbury, Post 659 Belle Vernon, Post 752 and VFW 7023, Post 589 Vanderbilt, Post 181 Somerset, Post 802 Jerome, Post 762 Trotter, American Legion Post 484 Fayette City, Vietnam Veterans (VVI), American Legion Post 301 and its Sons of American Legion, Mrs. Fayette Co. 2006 Mary Jane Hay, American Legion Riders, Fleet Reserve Retired Enlisted, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 58, Fayette Co. United Veterans Association.

# Division Two: Formation point between train tracks and Pennsylvania Avenue on East Fayette Street, Laurel Highlands Senior High School Band, Catholic War Veterans and its Auxiliary, John Spisso, WWII veterans Robert Landman (yellow truck), Sgt. Abie Abraham (retired), Bataan Death March, St. Johns Church Float, TREA floats, WWII marchers, Ross DiMarco, Romeo Luzzi, Charles Solly, John McKnight, William Scarlett, Settimi and Patterson, Martin Griglak, Dr. Barklett, Tom Kalman, Ralph Val Iacoboni, Mr. Antran, Ray Moser, John Cippoletti, William Showalter, Frank White, George Gabor, Ted Sofish, the Mazzas, Frank Kluska, Joseph Kluska and son, Stephen Bilohlovek, Kennywood Trolley, Armbrust WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans, Rosey the Riveter, FACT busses, Reserve Officer Don Miller, Uniontown High School Band, AMVETS Post 103 Auxiliary, N.U. VFW Post 8543 and its Auxiliary, VFW Post 7023 Perryopolis, Post 265 Fort Necessity, Post 7219 Fairchance and Post 3514 Curry Dyson, Retired Enlisted Association Chapter 98 and its Auxiliary, Pa. Army National Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Mark Beldensky, U.S. Air Force recruiters, Marine Corps League, VA Director Don Sekoka, Iraq War veterans Sam Ross, Christopher Hogan and family, Cris Colgan, Steven Bilohlavek and family and all other Iraq veterans, Boy and Girl Scouts and Brownies.

# Division Three: Formation point Pennsylvania Avenue near Kezmarsky Funeral home, Ben Franklin Band, Menallen Squaws, Exchange Club (car, flatbed and walkers), Hopwood project historic flags, Albert Gallatin Junior ROTC, Albert Gallatin ROTC Saber winners Randi Jo Young and Josha Uasung, Jennifer Smitley and Cadets from California University of Pa., American Cancer Survivors Float, Teens for Christ, Herald Standard, Red Cross, Order of the Eastern Star, Laurel Highlands Junior High Band, American Landscaping, District Judge Mark Blair, Connellsville Mayor Judy Reed, Civil Air Patrol, Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy, Christina's Coffee Shop, Nana's Red Hatters, LaFayette Junior High Fifth and Sixth Grade Band, Fayette Co. Commissioners Angela Zimmerlink and Vincent Vicites, Recorder of Deeds David Malosky, Prothonotary Lance Winterhalter, Controller Mark Roberts, Clerk of Courts Janice Snyder, Fayette Holdings, Attorney John Lowery, Tricounty Canine Search Team, Fayette Co. Historical Society floats, Fayette Co. Fair Queen Deanna Liptak, Tax Collector Dunbar Marigrace Butela.

# Division Four: Formation point East Fayette Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Wilson Avenue, Future Raiderettes of Franklin Township, TREA Retired Enlisted Association No. 58, A.J. McMullen Band, Poular Lane Court, A.J. McMullen Band, Fayette County Christian Home School, Marshall Park Queen Aubery Crenshaw, Menallen Drill Team, Penn State Ambassadors, float and Campus Lion, Senior Action Council, Knights of Columbus, Young Inspirations, Plaza Queen Cheerleaders, Uniontown Park and Recreation Bailey Park Baseball Boosters, Salvation Army, River Valley ABATE, Marching Unit 40 & 8, Uniontown Lions Club, LaFayette Junior High Band, Noah's Ark, Channel 19, Froggy, Pickles, Rolling Thunder banner and motorcycles, Uniontown Senior High School Band, Valley Girl Red Raiders Drill Team.

# Division Five: Formation point East Fayette Street between Pennsylvania Street and Wilson Avenue, male involvement of Head Start, PSEA Retired, TREA Retired Enlisted Association of Fay-West Area, Noah's Ark Humane Society, race cars, antique cars of Stephen Bilohlavek and Jerry Kolencik, antique truck of Bob Bartola, classic car from Experience Works, Flight 99 truck, F&AM King Solomons Lodge 346 of Connellsville.

# Division Six: Formation point alley between Wilson, South and East Fayette streets, East End Drill Team, Fayette Friends of Animals, Laurel Valley Corvette Club, the Spottos, GWRRA motorcycles, Sunshine Acres.

# Division Seven: Formation point Stewart Avenue to East Fayette Street, Rostraver West Newton EMS, American Ambulance, Uniontown, Hopwood. Ohiopyle, Republic, Smithfield and South Connellsville Volunteer Fire departments, Perryopolis Ambulance, Allison No. 2, Perryopolis Township, Smock, South Union, New Salem, Collier amd Farmington fire departments, Fayette EMS, Morrell, Fairchance, Towerhill No. 2, Monarch, McClellandtown, Luzerne Township and Footdale fire departments.

Jerry Storey can be reached at jstorey@tribweb.com or (724) 626-3581.