Kaitlyn Hughes | news editor

As the Veterans Day Parade began on Saturday, Daniel Konieczny teared up as he thought of all the people who served in the Vietnam War, like he did.

He said it was important for him to show his support to the veterans in attendance and the ones that did not make it home from Vietnam, which includes more than 58,000 people, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

“We don’t forget them,” Konieczny said. “Especially the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice.”

He said those veterans did not get a parade to welcome their return, but 50 years later, they got the welcome home they never had at the Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade.

The Vietnam Veterans Inc. marched toward the front of the parade flanked by onlookers cheering, waving American flags and holding signs that read “welcome home.”

Joseph Podolinksky, who is the commander of Federation of War Veterans’ Societies of Allegheny County and in charge of the parade committee, said this year they took the time to honor the Vietnam veterans not only at the parade, but also at a dinner at the Rivers Casino on Nov. 5.

The parade, which began in 1919, lasted two hours as veterans from different eras and local high school marching bands serenaded the crowd with several patriotic anthems took over Liberty Avenue.

Podolinksy said the annual parade, which was moved to a Saturday this year, is important because he said he feels like people blow off Veterans Day and take their freedoms for granted.

“You have that freedom because someone went and fought for those freedoms,” he said.

Andy Nigut led the parade as the grand marshal and a Vietnam combat veteran.

When he was first informed that he was going to be this year’s grand marshal, he did not feel worthy of it.

But he decided to take on the position because he said it was an honor to represent all the men and women who died serving the United States.

“Many of my brothers and sisters were not afforded the opportunity to become veterans because they were killed in combat,” Nigut said.

He said war is a fearful and traumatizing thing, especially to him.

While he was overseas, he was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade which caused him to lose 80% of his jaw and 20% of his tongue. He was not expected to live.

“I don’t think there is a winner in wars,” he said. “Everyone loses.”

Like Konieczny, he remembered returning home to protests in the streets and a strong stigma against those who fought in the war.

“Days like today validate our service,” he said.

While some kids came to the parade to collect candy that was being thrown, two boys, Archie Leventry and Carson Warren, came to collect autographs from veterans.

Leventry’s mom, Melissa Leventry, said that the fact his grandfather was in the Korean War combined with his passion for learning about World War II in school is what sparked his interest in the military. He then shared this passion with Warren.

She said he spent his 10th birthday money at an antique store buying military memorabilia. On Saturday, he wore a military uniform covered in patches.

“I think it’s important for them to know the people who served our country,” Leventry’s mom said.

The two children asked Bob Kraus, who was in the Navy during the Vietnam War, for an autograph, which he appreciated because he also did not get support from people when he first came home.

“It’s about time,” he said.

Amy McKaveney came to the parade with her husband, Ed McKaveney, to watch their daughter, Maria McKaveney, march in the Hampton band as a trombone player.

She was glad to see so many high school bands getting involved in the celebration.

“I think it’s very important because it’s more meaningful than giving them the day off,” McKaveney said.

Kaitlyn Hughes can be reached at hughesk10@duq.edu

View a gallery here with photos from the event.