SHAMOKIN - The annual Memorial Day March will be held at 9 a.m. Monday. The program is being organized by the joint area veterans organizations, the Shamokin and Coal Township fire departments and the Shamokin and Coal Township police departments. The public is encouraged to attend and show their patriotism on this important day and honor all deceased veterans and those who made the supreme sacrifice for our country.
This year's march route will start in Coal Township on Arch and Locust streets at the playground. All participants are asked to form, starting at 8 a.m. The march will continue down Arch Street to Cliff Street and then stop at the Timothy Diorio Memorial. Members of the Maine Fire Company will lay a wreath and conduct a brief service.
The march will then move to Second Street, to Walnut Street, to Sixth Street, and to Independence Street, where the march will stop again at the Corporal David Witmer Memorial. Shamokin and Coal Township police will lay a wreath and hold a brief service. The march will continue to Market Street and will stop at the fireman's memorial where the Shamokin Fire Bureau will lay a wreath and hold a brief service. The march will continue up Market Street to Lincoln Street and end at the Veterans Price of Freedom Memorial, where the joint area veterans organizations will lay a wreath, hold a brief memorial service and play "Taps."
This year's march will remember the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War; Frank Buckles, the last American World War I veteran, and Major Dick Winters, of the 101st Airborne Division ("Band of Brothers" fame).
Any person or any organization who would like to take part in this traditional Memorial Day March is encouraged to participate. The public is invited to walk along with the Memorial March or to just meet at the end for the service.
Chairmen of the Memorial Day March are John M. Schenewerk, commander of the Coal Township VFW Post 317, and Chris Christian, commander of the Shamokin American Legion Post 73. Committee members include Paul Leshinskie, adjutant of the Coal Township VFW; Sandra Schenewerk, and John and Angie Arnold, of the Citizens for a Better Community.