Collingdale Mayor Frank Kelly and World War II veteran Joseph Passaretti were grand marshals of the borough’s Fourth of July parade that started on McDade Boulevard and ended at Collingdale Park, writes Pete Bannan for the Delaware County News Network.

A Community Day celebration with field events, free food, and activities for the kids took place following the parade.

Passaretti, who has lived in Collingdale for 63 years and will turn 100 in August, participated in five invasions in Europe and Africa as an artillery specialist handling howitzer cannons.

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“I didn’t do it alone; I had a lot of help,” he said. “The toughest was the abbey. We were ordered not to shell it until they found it was clear of nuns.”

When Passaretti was asked about his thoughts on the Fourth of July, he said, “This is what we fought for. I like the fireworks, but they aren’t as loud as those howitzers.”

Click here to read more about Collingdale’s Fourth of July celebration from the Delaware County News Network.

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