David Haines, of Madisonville, becomes the first person to finish the Dalton Dash.
                                 Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

David Haines, of Madisonville, becomes the first person to finish the Dalton Dash.

Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

<p>Runners and walkers begin the Dalton Dash on North Turnpike Road.</p>
                                 <p>Ben Freda | For Abington Journal</p>

Runners and walkers begin the Dalton Dash on North Turnpike Road.

Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

<p>Albert Propst, left, records the time as Taryn Olmstead, of Dalton, crosses the finish line with her dog and racing partner Tinny.</p>
                                 <p>Ben Freda | For Abington Journal</p>

Albert Propst, left, records the time as Taryn Olmstead, of Dalton, crosses the finish line with her dog and racing partner Tinny.

Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

<p>Mayor Aaron Holzman reads the names of the fallen soldiers who lived in Dalton.</p>
                                 <p>Ben Freda | For Abington Journal</p>

Mayor Aaron Holzman reads the names of the fallen soldiers who lived in Dalton.

Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

<p>Dalton soldiers from all branches of military service do a 21-gun salute. </p>
                                 <p>Ben Freda | For Abington Journal</p>

Dalton soldiers from all branches of military service do a 21-gun salute.

Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

DALTON — The unofficial start of summer kicked off early morning in Dalton with a five-mile run/walk followed by a memorial service on Monday, May 31.

Sixty-four runners and walkers participated in the Dalton Dash, a race that last took place 25 years ago. Councilman Albert Propst brought back this event. He and his friend Dan run in ultra-marathons. He recalled the Dalton dash back in the 1990’s.

“Why don’t we still have it today?” he recalled asking himself. “I started looking into it and thought ‘Gosh, that’s so doable.’”

The route of the Dalton Dash began on Northampton Road between Dalton Pharmacy and Platt Park. Racers watched for signs leading the way going up the hilly course. They went to Lily Lake Road, turned left on Benton Road, and turned back on Northampton Road to the finish line. David Haines, of Madisonville, became the first overall runner to make it to the finish line.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “I like to be in local races.”

Dalton resident Taryn Olmstead competed in the Dalton Dash with her dog, Tinny, whom she calls her “running partner.”

“We run this loop a lot,” she said about the route. “It was his (Tinny’s) fastest five miles.”

Taryn became the second female runner to finish the race.

The Dalton Dash had two sponsors. National Running Center put together baskets for first place runners and prizes for people who came in third. McGrath’s Pub and Eatery donated gift cards for those who made second place. Propst hopes that next year the Dalton Dash will have 200 runners. Proceeds from the Dalton Dash are going to the Dalton Beautification project.

Although the Memorial Day parade was canceled, a memorial service held at Dalton Memorial Park occurred not long after the five-miler. Cub Scout Pack 175 of Factoryville performed the raising of the flag. The Veterans Memorial Committee paid the respects of the fallen soldiers with a 21-gun salute. John Holbert, who served in the U.S. Air Force, has been participating in the memorial service since 1966. He performed the placing of the wreath.

“There are a lot of people to be remembered,” he said. “The least we can do is remember them with some type of service once a year.”

Mayor Aaron Holzman read the names of the fallen soldiers, who resided in Dalton, starting with Jonathan Dean, who fought in the Revolutionary War.

“We honor the men and women of superior standing who have served our country and are worthy of our merited respect,” he said. “Memorial Day allows us as a community to pay that respect to these men and women we hold in public esteem.”

Reverend John Davis, deacon of The Church of the Epiphany, recited from the Book of Common Prayer for the invocation. Pastor Marianne Meyer of Waverly United Methodist Church read a quote from Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel.

“Without memory, there is no culture,” she read aloud. “Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.”

Meyer’s husband is currently retired as Captain Thomas Meyer from the Army National Guard, in which he served for 23 years. He served in Bosnia and Afghanistan. The service concluded with Holbert’s tribute to the late James Gray, who was chief of police and mayor of Dalton. He recalled being on the original committee when Gray became chief of police.

“It was a true honor to be on that committee,” he said. “And I have worked with Jimmy on and off for all the years that he was here in Dalton.”

Holbert dedicated a tree, which will be planted in his memory. The idea for the tree in Gray’s memory was started by Lackawanna Trail Elementary teachers Megan Naylor and Katie Loughney.