Memorial Day is a time to remember the fallen soldiers who died, are missing in action or became prisoner of wars.
The Abington area recognizes this time of year to honor them by visiting their graves, having a reading of their names and having a parade in their memory.
On Sunday, May 7, volunteers of the Countryside Youth Fellowship of Countryside Community Church will visit both the Milwaukee Cemetery and Newton Cemetery to spruce up the grounds. They will check the flag holders to see if they need to be replaced or repaired. They will also pull any tattered flag and replace it with a new one.
“We feel this is an important mission because it’s an opportunity for us to show our deep appreciation for the veterans we have lost,” said church member Karen Rickaby, whose husband Brian is spearheading this event. “It’s also a way to show our earnest respect for the veterans who are still living because, in years past, it was often them who went to the cemeteries to replace the tattered flags on the graves of their brothers and sisters. It’s truly our honor to help them now.”
Pack 160 of Boy Scouts of America will be placing flags on veterans’ graves at local cemeteries. They will also be marching in the upcoming Memorial Day parade in Clarks Summit on Monday, May 29. Prior, there will be services at the South Abington Township tank on Northern Boulevard at 830 a.m. and a service at 930 a.m. at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Waverly.
Local fire departments, state officials, motorcycle groups, Masons and civic groups will march from Clarks Summit Elementary, through State Street, and end at the Clarks Summit VFW Post 7069.
The Abington Heights Marching Band and Color Guard will be performing a tribute to the service songs of all the armed forces, as well as two other medleys of patriotic songs that include “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” “America,” and “My Country Tis of Thee.”
At the end of the parade, there will be a reading of the names of VFW members who passed as of last year by Don Jones, commander of the VFW.
Quartermaster Mike McLane, who took over for the late Dominic Scott, will be organizing this event again. He is the parade chairman in cooperation with the borough.
“It’s an integral part of the parade and hope it continues,” he said.
Dalton will celebrate Memorial Day with its third annual Dalton Dash 5-Miler, which starts at 7 a.m. The route and the direction will be the same as last year’s.
There will be medals for the winners and some prize boxes from local businesses. If anyone wants to add a gift card or items they reach out to at daltondash@daltonboro.com. Sponsors are encouraged to reach out to the Dalton commerce and community association or the Dalton borough office. They will receive a color logo on the race shirt of the year.
“Bringing this race back to life in Dalton has been very rewarding and encouraging! Seeing everyone come out to support the race then stay and support the reading of the names has been awesome and remembering the nations soldiers who died while serving,” said Albert Propst, who is spearheading the event. “Things are continuing to grow! We want to see the race grow to 200 people.”