The Rev. Joanne Young perhaps couldn't have been more right when she told residents and veterans at a Memorial Day service at Roosevelt Court Apartments how great it was to see both young and old waiving American flags on Chestnut Street during the annual parade Monday morning.
Young, who is retiring from Kulpmont United Methodist Church after 20 years to spend more time at her home near Hazleton, asked that the community tradition of providing love, hospitality and graciousness to veterans, residents and guests continue.
The "Star Spangled Banner" was performed by the Mount Carmel Area High School Band and "Taps" was played on trumpet by Kulpmont resident Ashley Donn as veterans of American Legion Post 231 fired a gun salute.
"There is a price for freedom, for it is not truly free. It is paid for by the contributions of veterans that buy our liberty," said Kulpmont Mayor Myron Turlis. "Whenever you cross paths with a soldier, don't be afraid or ashamed to extend a hand and tell him or her, 'thank you.'"
Shamokin
Young's description of community support was evident in many local communities Monday as parades and memorial services were held to honor current and past veterans and fallen members of emergency services organizations.
In the Shamokin area,
wreaths were placed at the Timothy Diorio, Cpl. David Witmer and Fireman's memorials by firefighters, police officers and veterans who quietly marched nearly a mile to the tapping of a snare drum by high school students Hannah Martin, Erin Duganitz and Madeline Chappell.
The parade ended with a service at the Price of Freedom Memorial along Lincoln Street, with patriotic music sung by Angelic Christian and played by members of the Shamokin Area Middle and High School bands.
Mary Campbell, an Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School graduate who founded and became president of the Blue Star Mothers Association, Chapter 101 of Bucks County, served as guest speaker. The national patriotic service organization formed in 1942 for mothers who had sons or daughters in the military.
"Memorial Day is more than a three-day weekend, which marks the beginning of summer," she said. "It is an important reminder of all who have died in service of our country. It is the day we pause to say thanks to the people who fought for the things we have."
Mount Carmel
A number of Mount Carmel Area students woke up early on their day off from school to honor veterans. At 8 a.m. Monday, the Boy Scouts of the Mount Carmel Elks Troop 174 waited patiently in their uniforms, flags in hand, for the service to begin at the memorial at the Geist Berkanski American Legion Post 91, Avenue and Maple Street.
Wreaths were presented at the memorial, and services continued with a march to the memorial at the Susquehanna Bank on Second and Oak streets, where the Mount Carmel Area band was waiting with members of the VFW Little League team and many local residents. The band played the national anthem.
The march continued to Third and Oak streets for services at the World War I plaque at Union National Bank, followed by services at St. Mary's Cemetery, Mount Carmel Cemetery and St. Joseph's Cemetery in Locust Gap.
Wilburton/Centralia service
Junior members of Centralia American Legion Post 608 in Wilburton proudly held their rifles as they stood with the senior members during memorial services at 9:30 a.m. in Zion Methodist Church Cemetery, Aristes.
After a salute and a rifle fire, the group continued to cemeteries in Centralia and Wilburton. The rifle squad then went back to the post home in Wilburton to play "Taps" for post members, and for an awards presentation involving state Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107.