It was a touching scene yesterday evening (August 17, 2014) as 78 fire trucks and other emergency vehicles from 3 counties converged in McAdoo to give Aaron Leshko, 18, a surprise parade of his own. Aaron suffers from batten disease, a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder. In the last week and a half, Aaron’s condition worsened. Sadly, Aaron passed away today.

During yesterday’s parade, Aaron and his family could be seen cheering and waving to all the passing emergency apparatus as they sounded their sirens and whistles. McAdoo firefighters said that Aaron always shared his pride and love for the fire company and even served as the station’s mascot.
A few hours prior to the parade, about 50 members of the Hazleton Area High School Marching Band made a surprise visit in front of the house to give Aaron his very own performance.
Robert Leshko Sr., Aaron’s father, said that Aaron served as an honorary member of the band and even played the snare drum after joining in 2011. Leshko Sr. added that the surprise concert helped boost his spirits. This would have been Aaron’s senior year.
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In addition to the surprise performance, Band Director Neil Forte III and members of the band boosters presented Aaron with a Certificate of Achievement.
Click HERE to view a related article in the Standard Speaker about the band performance.
Their last song was Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey.
Following the band and parade, over a 150 firefighters, friends, neighbors, and community members stopped by to give Aaron a handshake or hug.
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Below is a Facebook message yesterday from McAdoo firefighter Gary Perna Jr.:
“THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!  I cannot begin to express the gratitude for every firefighter and fire company that came out today to support the Leshko family. 78 fire trucks 3 police departments and countless firefighters… After running around like a nut in the industrial park I’m glad it all came together for Aaron! He has taught me so much! Hope you loved the parade butchie!”

Below is a Facebook message yesterday from McAdoo firefighter Michael Bowman:
“Today was proven that firefighter brotherhood will never die. We all stick together when we’re happy and sad when we’re apart and together we’re still a big family I was very impressed with almost 80 pieces of fire equipment for tribute to a very special man Aaron Leshko, stay strong brother and to the whole Leshko family you have and always will have support from your firefighter family. You are great people. And everyone else that took part in this very special occasion Thank You.”
Leshko Sr., who serves as the Fire Chief of the McAdoo Fire Company, stated his and his wife’s (Mary Beth Leshko) and their son’s (Robet Leshko Jr.) appreciation to all who stopped or showed their support for Aaron.
Below is a Facebook message from Leshko Sr. following yesterday’s parade:
“Today was a day that will never leave my memory!!!!!!!
First to the AMAZING members of the Hazleton Area High School Band. You young men and women have so much to be proud of, you took a child who may not be able to do what you do and made him part of your family. You treated him with the utmost respect and dignity over the last 3 years. This is something that each and everyone of you should be proud of, and will take you far in life. Each of you taking time out of you own day to spend a little time with Aaron to put a smile on his face was absolutly priceless. There is nothing in the world that compare to what you did for him today. We as a family are touched by your show of compassion toward Aaron he and us will never forget the opportunity you gave him to be part of this group. To Mr. Forte and Miss Gerhart you both are without a doubt 2 of the greatest leaders and are truly in it for the kids. Your direction has led these young men and women to be great people. We do not have enough words to express how we feel today.
To my brother firefighters as we all say it is a brotherhood and we do anything for each other. Well today this showed that in a way that no one can even compare. The number of apparatus was overwheleming. It was not just one person per vehicle there were numerous that came out to give Aaron something he loves and that is the fire service. To see him attempt to clap and wave to everyone brought more than tears to our eyes. The time you all took from your schedules to spend a little time with us is also beyond words. I do not know if I will ever be able to repay all of you for what you did today, but believe me I will do everything in my power to do it. In all my years in the fire service I have never see such compassion for someone who most may not even know. I tried to hold back my own tears to be strong for all of us but it did not work at all today.
Finally to our entire family, we do not even know what to say to all of you that could every thank you enough. You have all been there for us thought the entire fight for what we have done for Aaron. I know you all tell me that this is what we are all here for is to support each other. I never thought we would need such support. As we all help Aaron move onto a much better place as his Zede said to him today there will be a band of angels that will come down and take you and allow you to fly in the sky. We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and hope that Aarons suffereing will soon come to an end. Well I think I have said enought for tonight and once again we thank you and love all of you.”

Video of band performance courtesy of George Gramata:

TamaquaArea.com video of parade:

Click HERE to view another video of the parade courtesy of George Gramata. 

Click HERE to view all 670 TamaquaArea.com photos.

Below are 175 photos of the parade courtesy of Robert Leshko Jr.:

Click HERE to view all 670 TamaquaArea.com photos.