The annual Memorial Day march that travels through Coal Township and Shamokin will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, May 28, organized by area veterans organizations and the Shamokin and Coal Township fire and police departments.
The public is encouraged to attend and honor deceased veterans, including those who made the supreme sacrifice for our country.
The march starts at the playground at Arch and Locust streets in Coal Township, forming at 8 a.m. The assembly will proceed to Cliff Street, where it will stop at the Timothy Diorio Memorial. Members of the Maine Fire Company will lay a wreath and have a brief service.
The march will move onto Second Street, Walnut, Sixth and then Independence, where it will stop at the Corporal David Witmer Memorial. Members of the police departments will lay a wreath and conduct a brief service.
The march will continue to Market Street, stopping at the Fireman's Memorial, where the Shamokin Fire Bureau will lay a wreath and conduct a brief service.
The march will continue up Market Street to Lincoln Street and end at the Price of Freedom Memorial, where the Joint Area Veterans Organizations will hold a wreath-laying and a brief memorial service, along with the playing of "Taps."
This year's march will also remember the 10 airmen missing in action from World War II who were buried at Arlington National Cemetery in October after their B-24J Liberator bomber was found in East Meitze, Germany, with their remains.
They are 2nd Lts. Robert Bishop, Thomas Digman, Donald Hess and Arthur Luce, Staff Sgts. Joseph Karaso and Ralph McDonald, and Sgts. John Bonnassiolle, James Blong, Michael Chiodo and John Harringer Jr.
The public and organizations are encouraged to participate in the parade or walk along the route.
Chairmen for the march are John M. Schenewerk, commander of Coal Township VFW Post 317, and Chris Christian, commander of Shamokin American Legion Post 73. Committee members include Paul Leshinskie, adjutant of the Coal Township VFW, Sandra Schenewerk and John and Angie Arnold of Citizens for a Better Community.