Luna Pier celebrates those who served at Veterans Day parade

LUNA PIER -- Hundreds of participants and spectators lined the streets of a south county city to honor veterans past and present, followed by a ceremony and keynote address.

Luna Pier hosted its ninth annual Veterans Day parade Saturday, which featured participants from dozens of local groups, including high school marching bands, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts, Miss Monroe County and many more.

The parade, which began at Water Town Park on the city’s north end, culminated at the center of Luna Pier’s Memorial Park, where city officials hosted a ceremony and keynote address by veteran and Luna Pier resident John Zarb.

At the ceremony, Mayor James Gardner offered words of thanks before Luna Pier City Council member Dawn Gramza, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies, welcomed the crowd. Gramza invited Rev. Mark Prill of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Erie to the podium to offer an invocation.

“My dad fought during Vietnam—he was in the 101^st Airborne,” Prill said. “I grew up the son of a veteran and have a deep love for our country. I just want to say thank you to all the vets before we pray.”

Miss Monroe County 2022 Payton Perry-Radcliffe took the stage to sing the National Anthem while Erie VFW post 3925 posted the American flag. Gramza then offered a few words and a reading to honor military service members.

“We pause today to honor our brave men and women who for more than 240 years have supported our freedom,” Gramza. “Today we recognize all the veterans who have given something of themselves for this country in whatever capacity.”

Gramza took time to recognize several Gold Star and Blue Star families who were present and told stories of local veterans who gave their lives in service of their country. Following her reading, Gramza introduced the parade’s Grand Marshall, US Air Force Lt. Col. Terry Wanner, Jr.

Gramza described Wanner’s 33-year commitment to service prior to his retirement in 2021. A member of the class of 1988, the Erie Mason High School graduate joined the Air Force that same year and in 2000 graduated officer school. Wanner was deployed in numerous operations, including Desert Shield and Iraqi Freedom.

“He’s received many awards and accomplishments during his 33-year career,” Gramza added.

For the keynote address, Zarb, who served in the Army as military intelligence during the Vietnam era, focused his attention on current high school students and recent graduates who are looking for direction in life. He recalled his own experiences 53 years ago when he was a senior in high school.

“I was an average student,” Zarb said. “I had no interest or funding for college. I was working at a grocery store for $1.10 an hour. I was immature without any direction. My future was very uncertain.”

“So, I wondered, are there young men and women in the same boat today?” he asked. “If so, they are the ones I want my message to go to today.”

Zarb went on to describe four examples of young people he knew whose lives were altered for the better by joining the military. The four people he described were all in attendance, including retired Monroe High School principal and former football coach Ralph Carducci.

Zarb said that Carducci had originally planned to earn a living in business, but his decision to join the military, especially his experience in basic training, offered him a glimpse at a different path – education.

“He saw firsthand the power of training and instructing, and decided because of this experience to become a teacher,” Zarb said. “He positively influenced thousands because of that decision.”

Zarb followed with similar stories, and he noted that not all the people he served with were so fortunate, as many gave their lives rather than going on to lucrative and rewarding careers.

“It is the reality of serving in the military,” Zarb said. “(It’s) realizing that there is something out there greater than ourselves—something which requires us to put our lives on the line to protect an often-uncaring nation. And yet, we still did it. To me, this is the definition of being a veteran.”

Zarb finished his speech by noting that the military offers numerous options for career paths, and it helps prepare people in ways that set people apart from others, whether they serve in active combat or not.

“The military encourages growth and advancement,” Zarb said. “Most of the skills you acquire in the military are transferable to the civilian world. There are few places to learn what you’re made of…quite like the military.”

The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute performed by the Erie VFW post 3925, accompanied by the playing of Taps, followed by a benediction by Rev. Prill.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Luna Pier celebrates ninth annual Veterans Day parade