SHAMOKIN - The weather was as quiet as the crowd for the Combat Field Memorial Service at noon Saturday. Marc Burlile led the solemn ceremony at the Hiker's Memorial at the intersection of Lincoln and Market streets to thank all those in the armed forces, police, fire and emergency services who had died protecting the citizens of the United States.
"We have to take the time to remember those who have fallen, who can not get enough remembrance and recognition," said Burlile.
The ceremony was a reenactment of what soldiers do when a comrade has fallen.
"I can't think of a more fitting way to remember and thank those who serve our country," said Burlile. "We wanted to bring to the public's eye what they have to do when they lose someone."
"Taps" was played on the bagpipes by Will Kradlak, and a rifle was placed in front of the flags with a soldier's helmet and dog tags. A rose was then presented by the wife of veteran Walt Summers, who was also present at the ceremony. Veterans Sol Bidding and Tim Vincent took turns guarding the memorial to their fallen comrades after the ceremony.
This was the second year that Burlile performed the
ceremony at the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts, and said he is more than happy to return next year.
Talent showcased
Shortly after the solemn ceremony, the singing began with the festival's talent show at the Independence Fire Company.
Sisters Alexis and Katelyn Zawalick took the stage for solo performances. Alexis, 7, tied for second place for her rendition of "Tomorrow" from "Annie", and Katelyn took third place for her version of the song "Dynamite."
Vocalist Carson Houser, with Quinn O'Day on guitar, also tied for second place, and first place went to vocalists Natasha Hornberger and Cole Supsic.
A perfect day
At 1 p.m., festival chairwoman Jeanne Shaffer, executive director of the sponsoring Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, took a ride on the train from Shamokin to Paxinos and back again and commented on how perfect the day had been and how each festival has been different the last six years.
"It's interesting to see how far we've come since we first have 40 vendors and a few shows," she said.
She noted that people love the trolly and carriage, and now the train, because they are historical and gives them something different to do every year.
She praised the Shamokin Area football team for taking on the festival's garbage duty in shifts throughout the day.
"They could be out doing something else, but instead they were serving their community," said Shaffer.
She spends nine months out of the year thinking about and planning the festival, but she said she has never been more excited and pleased with a festival like she has this year.
"It was a huge success," she said.Mark Gilger Jr./Staff Photo
3rd Place Katelyn Zawalick, 9, sang "Dynomite" in the Talent Show.