Frankie Rossetti sat with her husband outside the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center Saturday morning holding an American flag while waiting for the NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade to pass by, with all its color, pageantry and patriotism.
Frankie and Bradford Rossetti both veterans, met in 1982 while serving in the Navy in Philadelphia. Now married for 43 years, the two welcome opportunities to gather with other veterans and members of the community to remember those who served.
Carmen Falcone and Matt Evans prepare to ride in the NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade, showing off vintage vehicles restored for such events Saturday, May 16, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Navy veterans Frankie and Bradford Rossetti enjoying the NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade Saturday, May 16, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Ethan Ritter and Scarlett Stanton of North Pocono School District marching band prepare for Saturday’s NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade on May 16, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
The Society of Irish Woman came out in support of the armed forces at the annual NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
The Riverside School District marching band participates in the annual NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Large crowds turned out for the annual NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
The Carbondale Area School District marching band participates in the annual NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
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Carmen Falcone and Matt Evans prepare to ride in the NEPA Armed Forces Day Parade, showing off vintage vehicles restored for such events Saturday, May 16, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Bradford Rossetti lives at the Gino Merli Center. His wife couldn’t be happier with the care he receives there.
“It’s a wonderful facility,” she said. “We’re blessed to be here to support other veterans.”
Growing respect for veterans
Air Force veteran Clinton Gregory of Montrose said the parade reflected a growing respect for those in the military.
Gregory said the country has come a long way from the 1970s, when veterans of the Vietnam War often burned their uniforms upon their return home.
In Pennsylvania, the Veterans Administration provides excellent medical and social services, including those available at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, he said.
Still, he noted that most of the day’s parade-goers were veterans or family members of veterans.
He would hope more young people and their families would come out to such events to learn more about the military and show appreciation for veterans.
Music, marching bands and more
The parade included veterans organizations, community groups, military vehicles and marching bands.
Ethan Ritter and Scarlett Stanton, members of the North Pocono marching band, were impressed with the number of groups and people who showed up for the event.
Stanton, a freshman, said it was only the second parade in which she had participated.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s a great day.”
Carmen Falcone and Matt Evans enjoyed driving vintage military vehicles in the parade, which has become a decades-long tradition for the friends
The two enjoyed the warm weather, they said, which provided the perfect background for the parade’s patriotic event, noting that in past years the weather hadn’t always been so accommodating.
“It’s fantastic,” Falcone said, of both the parade and the temperature.
The day, which started out with a 5K race, concluded with a community celebration held near Courthouse Square, which included music, food and information about resources available to veterans.
Chris Shrive of Flatland Ruckus, an Army veteran, enjoyed the chance to provide a Toby Keith tribute to area residents.
It was Shrive’s first time at the event and he was impressed with the crowds it drew.
“I’m honored to be here,” he said.