Communities throughout the area honored many brave men and women who lost their lives in service to their country at Memorial Day programs and parades on Monday.
Some towns had parades, some programs and others had both with high school bands, veterans color guards, sports leagues, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and plenty of fire trucks.
Gilberton
In Gilberton borough, there was no parade, but a short program was held at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Continental Hose Company No. 3. Veterans from the Girardville American Legion Post 309 participated in the program, which began with a welcome from Mayor Mary Lou Hannon, followed by a prayer.
Girardville post First Vice Commander Marc Burlile spoke about the meaning of Memorial Day.
"Today is not just about having a day off from work and having a barbecue. Today is about honoring our war dead - those who gave us the freedom to do what we're doing here today, to say what we want to say, to practice our own faith, and to believe in our own politics," Burlile said.
Burlile said that 13 new names would be added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. He encouraged people to visit the veterans memorials of all wars to pay tribute to those who served.
"We also ask you to thank the war heroes here who are still living," Burlile said. "They made it through, but they're here to testify what their brothers and sisters went through over there. Please take the time to honor your military - those who are living, those that are dead and those who are still serving us."
The placing of the wreath at the memorial was conducted by Gilberton resident Edward Dawe, who is an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, and Joseph Hannon, Mahanoy Plane, who served in the Marine Corps in the Vietnam War. Afterward, the Legionnaires provided the honor guard for the rifle salute, followed by taps.
Shenandoah
In Shenandoah, a large parade moved through town beginning at 9 a.m. that included members of the Combined Veterans of Shenandoah Area leading the parade, followed by the Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils Marching Band, Little League players, members of the Knights of Columbus Francis Cardinal Brennan Council No. 618 of Shenandoah, and a long line of Shenandoah fire trucks.
The program was led by master of ceremonies Leo Slecton, adjutant with the American Legion Anthony P. Damato "Medal of Honor" Post 792. The invocation and benediction were offered by the Rev. Neal Smith, pastor of Bethel Primitive Methodist Church, Shenandoah, and a retired Navy commander and chaplain.
The guest speaker was post Finance Officer Joseph A. Cocco Jr., Ringtown, past commander of the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania.
"We remember those who are no longer with us because they sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedom," Cocco said. "These sacrifices have occurred throughout our nation's history. We continue to lose American heroes every day in Afghanistan in military training accidents and missions around the world. The loss of these heroes is permanent to their families, friends and to our country. Some were only teenagers and most of those killed in action were under the age of 25. In the eyes of their loved one, they are forever young. This is why Memorial Day is so important."
Damato post Commander Daniel Krauson and American Legion District 13 Commander John McGauley, a native of Shenandoah, placed the wreath at the memorial, which was followed by the rifle salute and taps.
Gordon
Gordon held its Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m., which included the color guard from the Gordon AMVETS Post 44, the North Schuylkill High School Marching Band, Boys Scouts, Little Leaguers and the grand marshal, John L. "Jack" Stitzer, Gordon, riding in style on an antique fire truck from the Citizens Fire Company No. 1 of Gordon.
After moving through town, the parade ended at the municipal building. However, before the program began, everyone gathered outside for a 21-gun salute, followed by taps.
"Today we are here to remember. We are all here to honor this special group of Americans," master of ceremonies Paul Snyder said. "These Americans who gave their lives for our country. The quiet of the cemetery is broken only by the flapping of little flags, fluttering in the breeze."
Stitzer and fellow World War II veteran Bruce Mervine sat on the stage, along with the Rev. Dennis Snyder, who provided the invocation and benediction, and Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman.
Ashland
The North Schuylkill band also marched in the Ashland Memorial Day parade, along with veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars O'Donnell-Martin-Baldino Post 7654, which sponsored this year's parade and program, and the American Legion Bernard J. Dolan Post 434, their auxiliaries and Boy Scout Troop 745. The parade stopped at the Mother's Memorial, where the program was held.
"We thank you for your participation in remembering those who took care of our country and provided us with the freedom that we have that we can celebrate today,' said Ashland fire Chief Philip Groody, who was the master of ceremonies.
The program followed with the singing of the national anthem by sisters Carlee and Brylee Spieles. VFW Commander Wilmer Quick provided the invocation and benediction.
The guest speaker was Blake Reppert, Ashland, who is a native of Hamburg and VFW member.
"We gather today in honor of the brave men and women who have fought and perished for our country," Reppert said. "Soldiers of World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and soldiers from other conflicts are the true heroes of our country. It is because of these that we are allowed to live in the greatest nation in the world. It is because of these heroes that we continue to live free to raise our children so they can be free."
Reppert continued, "While we will never be able to replace these heroes, we pay tribute to them and the memories they have brought us and continue to pay tribute to them for generations to come. We, as Americans, owe that to them. The meaning of 'hero' is 'selflessness.' "
The program continued with the rifle salute by members of both veterans posts, followed by taps.
Pottsville
In Pottsville, there was a parade starting at 10 a.m. followed by a ceremony at Garfield Square.
The Pottsville Joint Veterans Council headed up the city event.
A police motorcycle was leading the parade, followed by Grand Marshal Retired Staff Sgt. John L. Russell, 72, of Pottsville, vice commander of the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29.
The Pottsville Third Brigade Band, fire trucks from different areas of the county, cheerleaders and others participated.
Pottsville Mayor James Muldowney; the Rev. Joseph Murton V of Gilberton United Methodist Church and former Pottsville police chief; city council member and veteran Mark Atkinson, and Leo Haley, past national commander of the Catholic War Veterans, also spoke along with Pottsville senior Ben Serano who read "In Flanders Fields" and Nativity BVM senior Rachael Wood who read the Gettysburg Address.
Haley was the master of ceremonies and Atkinson was the featured speaker.
The Third Brigade Band played the national anthem. The song "Thank You is Not Enough" was sung by Janet Enders, and taps was also played. And as customary, the pledge of allegiance was recited.
A wreath was placed at the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the square.
In his invocation, Murton said we should not forget what the day means.
"Please bless the veterans, past, present and future," he said.
Muldowney said Schuylkill County has a long history of those who have served.
Haley said there are 16,800 veterans living in Schuylkill County.
Atkinson said a recent observance he participated in in Washington, D.C., made him change his speech.
He noticed children who had lost parents in war.
"They will carry on the rest of their lives missing the most important person in their lives," he said.
It's important not to forget veterans, he said.
Schuylkill Haven
In Schuylkill Haven, at least 150 people attended the Memorial Day program that started at 1:30 p.m.
Names were read of those on the wall at the memorial and a wreath was placed there.
The event was hosted by the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29 Schuylkill County.
Guy Wiederhold, commander of the post, said Monday was "a day to honor those who gave all."
Students from Schuylkill Haven Area High School from the veterans committee read selected readings.
Sage Garvey, 18, read "In Flanders Fields," Julia Sippel, 18, spoke about family members that have been in the military, Alana Gretsky, 18, read the Gettysburg Address and Morgan Bates, 17, read her speech, "Brought to you by the makers of freedom."
"Freedom itself is one of the most valuable things on the planet," Bates said.
Col. Chip Hall, a marine, said the day was "a day to heal just a little bit more" for veterans.
Often when they give their lives it is because of love, he said.
The fire from the 21-gun salute and the playing of taps are symbolic of what those in war encounter.
"When you hear the sound of taps, that is the overwhelming grief of captured in just a few notes," he said.
The gunfire is what those in battle hear sometimes before they give their last best effort.
"Join us in these two moments to heal with us," Hall said.
He agreed with others who spoke that the selfless devotion veterans exhibit should be honored often.
"Memorial day is every day," he said for those who gave their lives and those who knew them.