People across the United States will honor the men and women who died serving in the armed forces on Memorial Day. Services and events are scheduled over the holiday weekend in communities throughout Schuylkill County.
In Frackville, American Legion Post 398 has a full day of activities Monday, highlighted by a dedication ceremony for its new monument.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. with a parade to Memorial Park that will be followed by a program to honor veterans. The monument dedication will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the honor guard and a prayer ceremony. A free buffet will be held from noon to 3 p.m. with entertainment provided by One Last Rider from 2 to 5 p.m.
Peter Kostingo, adjutant of the American Legion, said the event will be held rain or shine. If raining, the event will be moved into the hall.
Kostingo said turnout is largely dependent on the weather. He said they have had crowds of more than 100 people.
Kostingo said veterans are more widely recognized today because the public has grown to realize the importance of the sacrifices these men and women have made to their country.
“This realization, in my opinion, is very complex but I feel a large factor is that the American public felt very guilty for the way they treated our veterans returning home from the Vietnam War. Those Vietnam veterans returning home were treated with disrespect and more like the enemy than the returning heroes they really were,” Kostingo said.
He said this treatment is still played out today, specifically in the political arena. He referred to a statement made by one of this year’s presidential candidates to a current politician. The candidate said he didn’t consider the politician to be a hero because he was captured in war.
“The importance of referencing that statement is that the American public found that statement ignorant and appalling. The rational response of the American people to that statement is due to education. Over the years those people treating those returning from Vietnam have been educated to what really happened in Southeast Asia. Those veterans proudly served their country and risked their lives for our country,” Kostingo said.
He said more than 58,000 paid the ultimate sacrifice to our country, and the public remembers those veterans on holidays, such as Memorial Day, or when they see a monument or movie reminding us of them.
“Those who were directly affected, their families and their friends don’t need a holiday to remember. The absence of their loved one and the emptiness left behind is a constant reminder of the loss and sacrifice made for our country,” Kostingo said.
He also referred to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, as another factor that awakened Americans to the value of our veterans.
“Twenty years ago, you didn’t see American flags on everyone’s front porch. But today, the feeling of patriotism is the norm and it seems that the veterans’ sacrifices are acknowledged and appreciated. It’s unfortunate that it’s war that bonds us together. We are still at war with the extremists who attacked our country and I think the American public recognizes the danger that the veteran faces every day,” Kostingo said.
In Schuylkill Haven, the veterans’ sacrifice will be honored with a service at the Schuylkill County Vietnam Memorial.
Organized by the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29, the service to remember the lives of those lost in Vietnam will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday at the memorial on Route 61 near Penn State Schuylkill.
Guy Wiederhold of Post 29 said the service will be held rain or shine, with it to be moved to the First United Church of Christ if raining.
Wiederhold also said that veterans are more widely recognized, but the younger group needs to step up to keep the trend going.
“The men and women who run the services are getting older. We need to get our younger vets involved,” he said.
For Kostingo, he said he likes when someone thanks him for his service and he believes most other veterans feel the same way.
“The fact that it took a lot of years to get where we’re at is irrelevant, the important thing is that the American public does have a genuine appreciation for our veterans,” he said.
Following are the area Memorial Day events scheduled:
Ashland — Parade starts 10:45 a.m. Monday from Memorial Field, followed by program at 11 a.m., Mother’s Memorial. Veterans of Foreign Wars O’Donnell-Martin-Baldino Post and American Legion Bernard J. Dolan Post will participate.
Auburn — Parade starts 11 a.m. Monday, followed by service at Auburn Church of God, South Third Street. In case of rain, parade canceled and service held at church. Sponsored by Auburn VFW.
Branch Township — Parade starts 8 a.m. Monday, Llewellyn, followed by ceremony at 10 a.m., Friedens Lutheran Church and Phoenix Park Union Church, Branch Township.
Cressona — Parade starts 9:30 a.m. Monday, forms 9 a.m. at SAPA parking lot, followed by program at Legion Plaza. Sponsored by Cressona Lions Club and American Legion.
Donaldson — Service 9:15 a.m. Monday, Community Cemetery, followed by parade at 10:15 a.m. Sponsored by American Legion.
Frackville — Parade to Memorial Park, 9 a.m. Monday, followed by program. Celebration and monument dedication, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Frackville American Legion, 40 S. Mahanoy St. Free buffet-style dinner. Entertainment by One Last Rider.
Gilberton — Program, noon Monday, Veterans Memorial, Maizeville.
Girardville — Parade 9 a.m. Monday, followed by program at Veterans Memorial, near Third and C streets.
Gordon — Service at 9 a.m. Monday, parade starts 10 a.m., Gordon Municipal Hall, Plane and Otto streets. Annual block party, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Gordon Fire Company.
Mahanoy City — Program, 2 p.m. Sunday, Veterans Memorial, Centre and Catawissa streets. Sponsored by Mahanoy Area United Veterans. Parade begins 11 a.m. Monday from Mahanoy Area High School parking lot.
New Philadelphia — Parade begins 8:30 a.m. Monday, post office, Valley Street. Program follows at the Square. Conducted by American Legion Post 677, Catholic War Veterans 1079 and AMVETS Post 256. In case of rain, program and awards held at Good Intent Fire Company.
Palo Alto — Service, 1 p.m. Sunday, War Memorial monument, Bacon Street.
Port Carbon — Service, 6 p.m. Sunday, Grace United Methodist Church, Pike Street. Parade starts 9 a.m. Monday, followed by service at Veterans Park Gazebo, near Janet Eich Library.
Pottsville — Parade starts 10 a.m., 12th and Market streets, service at Garfield Square follows parade.
Ringtown — Service at 10 a.m. Monday, Old White Church, Brandonville Road. Sponsored by Ringtown American Legion and Auxiliary.
Saint Clair — Ceremony, 1 p.m. Sunday, Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School, South Mill Street. Sponsored by Saint Clair American Legion Post 719.
Schuylkill Haven — Parade starts 10 a.m. Monday, will go down Main Street to Parkway, where a service will be held. Lions Club pancake breakfast in high school cafeteria.
Schuylkill Haven — Service, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Vietnam Memorial, Route 61. Conducted by Vietnam Veterans Post 29.
Shenandoah — Service, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Bethel Primitive Methodist Church, Jardin Street. Parade starts 9 a.m. Monday, Jardin and Centre streets, ends at borough hall. Sponsored by Shenandoah Combined Veterans.
Tower City — Parade starts 10:30 a.m. Monday, followed by program at Public Square. Sponsored by American Legion Post 468. In case of rain, program held at post home.
Tremont — Service, 1 p.m. Sunday, Pete Wiscount Veterans Park, Main Street. Parade starts 10:45 a.m. Monday, service 11:15 a.m., St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. In case of rain, service at Clay Street school.
Wiconisco — Service begins 8 a.m. Monday at Honor Roll. In case of rain, program at Calvary United Methodist Church, Pottsville Street.
Wiconisco — Program, Remembering Wiconisco’s Civil War Soldiers, 7 p.m. Sunday, Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Cemetery Road. Presented by Jake Wynn. Tour begins at flag pole in lower part of cemetery at 6:45 p.m.
Williamstown — Parade starts 9:45 a.m. Monday, services follow at Veterans Memorial Park. Sponsored by Williamstown American Legion Post 239 and Williams-town VFW Post 6497.