KULPMONT - The Kulpmont Veterans Committee announced the annual Memorial Day parade and memorial service at Roosevelt Court will be held Monday.
Participants are asked to meet at the American Legion Post No. 231 at 9 a.m. A King Coal bus will transport the group to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post home for member pick-up and then proceed to the St. Casimir's, St. Mary's and the Protestant cemeteries for grave side services honoring all deceased veterans.
A memorial service will be conducted at the Marion Heights Veterans Memorial on the way down to the Kulpmont cemeteries.
At 10:30 a.m., the parade will form at Ninth and Ash sreets.The Veterans Color Guard will set up in the 800 block of Pine Street. Classic convertibles will transport post officers, honored guests, auxiliary members, clergy and dignitaries. Other organizations participating in the parade are: Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Holy Angels cheerleaders and athletes, Boy and Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies, East End Fire Company, VFW, disabled veterans, Mount Carmel Area High School Band, Kulpmont West End Fire Company and its ancillary, youth football and baseball teams, and fire and ambulance organizations.
The parade will begin promptly at 11 a.m. and proceed east on Pine Street to Sixth Street, south to Chestnut Street and west to Eleventh Street, where the Veterans Color Guard will exit to Roosevelt Court to conduct the Memorial Day services.
American Legion Commander Andrew Bednarchick will be master of ceremonies, and the invocation will be given by the Rev. Andrew Stahmer, pastor of Holy Angels parish. A prayer for peace will be given by the Rev. JoAnn Young, pastor of First Methodist Church. Veterans chaplains' prayers will be given by Francis Rakowski, VFW chaplain, and Bob Daniels, American Legion chaplain. Mayor Myron Turlis will give a welcoming address. The Mount Carmel Area Band will play the national anthem while the flag is raised by veterans Henry Sgro, Charles Bolesta and Ed Avellino. Commander Ted Kersavage will then address the audience.
A rifle salute will be followed by the playing of "Taps" in memory of all deceased veterans. Benediction will be given by the Rev. Alfred Bashore, pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church.
This year's parade committee includes American Legion auxiliary members president JoAnn Schascheck, Rita Merena, Joyce Durovick, Millie Hibbs, Jan Witrosky, Joan Kase, Flo Willard, Marion Edmondson, Dolly Homiak, Renee Redd and Jackie Butler. Participating veterans include Ken Sieklicki, Andy Bednarchick, Ted Kersavage, Bob Jevelle, Bob Daniels, Joe Durovick, Chet Gard, Al Goldunis, Ed Avellino, Henry Sgro and Rose and Henry Koldash.
In the event of rain, the services will be held at the American Legion grounds where refreshments will be served to all parade participants. The community is invited to decorate homes and participate in the services.
New flags and markers were placed and repairs were made at cemeteries in Marion Heights and Kulpmont on Saturday.