Pair of Army nonagenarians honored to serve as parade marshals for Latrobe's July 4 bash

Celebrating the nation’s birthday in Latrobe started long before the Fourth of July parade stepped off Thursday.

Chairs were set up along Ligonier Street hours in advance. Crowds decked out in red, white and blue started gathering on the hot and humid morning, one child asking his father how long before the action would start.

It was especially meaningful to two Army veterans who shared parade marshal duties — William Robb, 96, of Unity and Vincent Antinori, 90, of Latrobe.

“I’m happy to be part of it,” Antinori said.

“It’s an honor,” Robb agreed.

While the pair was escorted to the start in a 1944 Willys Army Jeep, they became instant celebrities. Members of local fire departments milling around saluted them and offered words of gratitude. David Byers of Latrobe was behind the wheel of the Jeep that he restored with his father.

That particular vehicle never left the states, but, for those that did, they may have been used as an ambulance of sorts or a reconnaissance vehicle ahead of troops, as well as a church in a pinch, Byers said.

“It’s a real honor,” he said of escorting Robb and Antinori.

Robb said he served about two years in North Africa during World War II. Antinori said he was in Germany for two years in the 1950s with the mountain division.

They led the parade that lumbered down Ligonier Street as children clamored for candy, lollipops and ice pops being handed out by participants. A small group of children started a chant for “Double Bubble” bubble gum and hot parade goers readily accepted blue and red snow cones.

Current and past Miss 4th of July pageant winners waved to the crowd from atop classic cars. High school marching bands played and danced on the street and the Syria Shriners’ Motor Corps zoomed around on three wheels.

“It just blows my mind how many people come down and have fun. It’s great,” Mayor Eric Bartels said.