Americanism Day Parade scheduled
American Legion Post 51 will once again sponsor the annual Americanism Day Parade in Uniontown. Americanism Day started in 1934 when Legionnaires uncovered plans by local communists to take advantage of the suffering during the Great Depression by staging a May Day Parade. The veterans counter-punched with a parade of their own. It has been an annual event ever since, drawing thousands of participants and spectators.
On Wednesday, May 1, 850 American Flags and 40 POW/MIA Flags will line the sidewalks on the streets of Uniontown.
A reception for distinguished guests will be held in the American Legion Post 51’s Hall at 4 p.m.
Leading a contingent of state officials, State Legion Commander Jeff Seler will speak at the reception. Other visitors will include National Executive Committeeman Ronald F. Conley; State Adjutant Kit D. Watson; State Judge Advocate Denis P. Zuzik Esq.; and 24th District Commander Ronald L. Duerring.
Post 51 Commander Michael Gaydos will preside at the banquet. Master Chief USN (Ret.) Ron Schroyer will sing the National Anthem. Fayette County Finance Officer Jim Smith will conduct the POW/MIA Remembrance Service.
The parade will begin at 7 p.m. and follow the same route as in previous years, starting at East Fayette Street and South Pennsylvania avenue and moving west on Fayette to Morgantown Street, north on Morgantown to Main, east on Main to North Gallatin, then out Gallatin Avenue past the reviewing stand in front of the Legion home.
The parade lineup is as follows:
First Division
Formation point: Pennsylvania Avenue south to Fayette Street and Dunbar Street.
Police escort; Fayette County Sheriff Gary Brownfield; Search and Rescue Unit; Mayor James Sileo; Pennsylvania State Trooper J.D. Mosser; American Legion State Commander Jeff Seler; American Legion Post 51 Color Guard; American Legion Post 51 Commander Michael Gaydos; Post 51’s Ladies Auxiliary and Poppy Queen; East End Community Center Spring Festival Queen; American Legion Fayette County Commander George R. Piovesan; and Uniontown Fire Department.
VFW Post 47’s Band; Naval Jr. ROTC; Yough High School Color Guard and Marching Unit; Fleet Reserve Association Steel City Branch 253; U.S. Marine Corps Recruiters; U.S. Air Force Recruiters; A.J. McMullen Jr. Raider Band; AMVETS Post 103 Honor Guard; Catholic War Veterans Post 1669 Honor Guard; Post 1669 Honor Guard; Post 1669 Ladies Auxiliary; and VFW Post 7023 Honor Guard.
Laurel Highlands Senior High School Band; Vietnam Veterans of Fayette County; Rolling Thunder, Inc. Chapter 5; Mike Kenes’ Patriot Missile; Marine Corps League Laurel Highlands Det. 732; American Legion Post 824; Benjamin Franklin Junior Raider Band; Military Order of the Purple Heart; American Legion Post 301; American Legion Riders; Post 301 Ladies Auxiliary; Post 301 Sons of the Legion; Ursina Band; Mon-Valley Leathernecks; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 58 and Retired Enlisted Association #58.
Division Two
Formation point: Pennsylvania Avenue near the Kezmarsky Funeral Home. Scouts will form at the Uniontown High School bus patio.
Brownsville High School Band; East End Community Center Drill Team; Robin’s Nest; Menallen School Drill Team; Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts; Shriners of Mountaineer Patrol; Laurel Highlands Junior High School Band; Red Cross; Uniontown Salvation Army; Emma Martin’s Pom Pom Corps; Early Head Start and Head Start Fayette County; Lafayette Junior Raider Band; Lafayette Junior 5th and 6th Grade Band; and The Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 20.
Division Three
Formation point: Stewart Avenue.
Corvette Cars; Race Cars; Hopwood Volunteer Fire Department, Ohiopyle Volunteer Fire Department, Republic Volunteer Fire Department; Smithfield Vol. Fire Department and the South Union Volunteer Fire Department.