Apr 2, 2003 By Jackie Beranek 3 min read

Children and adults applauded as participants in the 70th annual Americanism Day Parade passed by spectators on Main Street Thursday evening. Just as the parade began at 7:20 p.m., a light breeze slowly lifted American flags that had been placed on sidewalks to mark the patriotic day. As parade observers stood at attention while military units passed by, children squealed with glee and delight and red, white and blue balloons could be seen throughout the downtown area of the city.

People appeared to enjoy this year’s show a little bit more than usual and one woman said she thought it was because so many local men and women are still in the Middle East fighting for freedom for the Iraqi people.

The parade, sponsored by American Legion Post 51 of Uniontown, truly showed Uniontown’s support for the troops in harm’s way. It was also one of the largest parades in history.

Joe T. Joseph, Post 51 adjutant and general chairman of the Americanism Day event, said many in the parade and along the march’s route wore yellow ribbons and placed yellow bows on their vehicles.

The eight-division parade was lead by a Uniontown City Police motorcycle followed by three Uniontown police cars with Mayor James Sileo and Police Chief Kyle Sneddon. Fayette County Sheriff Gary Brownfield followed as did search and rescue, the American Legion Post 51 honor guard and Commander Ronald Danko.

Next came American Legion Pennsylvania Commander Gerald (Jerry) Zorn, Adjutant Kit Watson, National Officer Terry Lewis, Joseph, the Ladies Auxiliary, Ronald Schroyer of the Veterans Affair Department, who sang the National Anthem at the Americanism banquet prior to the parade, and the Uniontown Area Senior High marching band.

Five Units of U.S. Marines marched, in addition to Korean veterans, Victor Kozares, the VFW Post 47 Color Guard, Commander Pete Porreca, the marching band, Tim Stefancin, VFW Post 47, the Mon Valley Leathernecks, American Legion Post 0659 Belle Vernon, and numerous other organizations including Vietnam Veterans Inc.

Joseph said in 1937 state representatives from Fayette County secured the passage of a joint resolution in the legislature to set aside May 1 as Americanism Day throughout Pennsylvania by the governor’s proclamation.

In 1944, 15,000 people participated in the parade and in 1970, the size of the parade was doubled with an estimated 40,000 spectators and a running time of four hours.

Joseph said the parade has only been rained out once in its 70-year history and that was in 1990.

He also said this year’s event was a success.

Shakurrle Hiar, 9, of Uniontown agreed with Joseph saying, “I really liked the parade but I think I like the motorcycles the best. Kim Williams, 9, of Uniontown said the parade was “cool” but he really liked the quads and Mary Brougher, 12, of Uniontown just thought the whole thing was “awesome.”