6th annual Taps Over Bethlehem, beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27: 44 trumpet players will sound their instruments for more than three miles from Nisky Hill Cemetery to Memorial Park Cemetery -- playing taps one after another.
At 9:15 a.m., musicians will perform for a 15-minute ceremony at Memorial Park Cemetery. Among the musicians are the American Legion Band of Bethlehem, students from Broughal Middle School and students from Bethlehem Catholic High school. At that same time, a Memorial Day parade will leave Liberty High School and proceed down Linden Street to Memorial Park Cemetery, arriving shortly after the trumpets are done playing.
Annual Bethlehem Memorial Day Observance, begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27: Memorial Park Cemetery, 1851 Linden St. Hosted by members of the American Legion Post No. 379. Ken Nichol will serve as officer of the day and Mayor Bob Donchez plans to give the welcoming address.
Three-Day Memorial Celebration, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27: various activities, including a writing workshop, performance readings, a luminary display, children's crafts and multiple performances on the Levitt Pavilion Stage -- at the Artsquest at SteelStacks campus.
The event known as "Our Hometown Heroes," now in its ninth year, will conclude Memorial Day with a service to remember the Lehigh Valley's fallen troops.
East Bangor
Memorial Day Service, 1 p.m. Monday, May 27: at East Bangor Cemetery, Park Road. Organized by the Martocci-Capobianco Post 750 American Legion. Rain location: East Bangor United Methodist Community Church, 136 W. Central Ave.
Easton
120th Anniversary Memorial Day Parade, 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 27: the parade runs from Northampton Street through Centre Square to the Free Bridge; it will be led by Grand Marshal John W. Krebs Sr. and Memorial Day Council President Joseph Cuvo. The Easton Area High School band will play the National Anthem and honors will be rendered on the south side of the bridge by American Legion Post No. 611. Taps with echoes will be sounded by buglers from both the Easton Area High School and Phillipsburg High School marching bands, and flowers and a memorial wreath will be dropped into the Delaware River by Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and Phillipsburg Mayor Stephen Ellis. Ceremonies will then continue at Scott Park.
Three divisions are listed to march including the Easton Area High School Band, Easton Middle School Band, several scout troops, dignitaries and representatives of area fire, police and EMS departments. Additionally, campaign veterans of Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom have been invited to participate.
Before the parade at 9 a.m., the Brown & Lynch American Legion Post 9 will render honors at the Grand Army of the Republic plot, Easton Cemetery.
South Easton Memorial Day Service, 1 p.m. Sunday, May 26: sponsored by the Rice-Ebner American Legion Auxiliary, the program will be offered at McKeen Park, next to the fire station at Berwick and Reynolds streets. Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. plans to speak, as well as Timothy Reilly, commander of Post No. 588, and several unit officers. There will be music by the St. Joseph's Men's Choir. The program will be canceled in the event of rain.
Forks Township and Tatamy
Memorial Day Service, 1 p.m. Monday, May 27: held at Braden Park, corner of Uhler Road and Bushkill Drive, Forks Township. Refreshments will be served.
Northampton Borough
Memorial Day Ceremony, 11 a.m. Monday, May 27: guests will meet at the Northampton Memorial lot at 14th Street and Washington Avenue. Hosted by the Northampton American Legion Post No. 353, Northampton VFW No. 4714 and Catholic War Veterans No. 454.
Memorial Day Service, starting at 8:15 a.m. Sunday, May 26: meets at Fairview Cemetery, Cherryville Road, Northampton (right down from Rita's); followed by St. Peter's (Snyder's) United Church of Christ with a service and at the cemetery at 9 a.m.; Emmanuel Church at the cemetery at 10:20 a.m.; Christ Little Moore Church (between Klecknersville and Rockville) at the cemetery at 11 a.m.; and Horner's Cemetery, Nor-Bath Highway (next to EAT Ambulance Station) at noon. The day ends with lunch at Zion Stone Church with a service and at the cemetery at 2 p.m.
At 8 a.m. Monday, May 27: meets at the G.A.R. Memorial Plot, Lincoln Avenue and Dewey Avenue, followed by the Allen Union Cemetery, at Fourth and Main streets for an outdoor service at 8:45 a.m. (in the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at Grace United Church of Christ, at Ninth and Lincoln streets), followed by St. Johns United Church of Christ in Howertown for a service and cemetery at 9:45 a.m.; and the Siegfried Memorial Plot, W. 21st St. (across from CVS) at 11 a.m.
Both days of services are organized by Sons of Veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic Captain Theodore H. Howell Camp No. 48.
Palmer Township
Memorial Day Service, 8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 25: the American Legion Brown & Lynch Post No. 9 will hold the event at the veterans' section of the Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Road. Breakfast will follow at Brown & Lynch Post No. 9, 2260 Corriere Drive, in the township.
Pen Argyl
Memorial Day Assembly, 1:50 p.m. Friday, May 24: Pen Argyl Football Alumni Stadium, 501 West Laurel Ave.. It's organized by The Knights' Order, a student-led group. The student body plans to gather outside for a student-run assembly, in which speakers will discuss the importance of Memorial Day and its history. Traditions and services fill follow in honor of fallen troops. Singing, speeches and the presentation of a flag that has been flown over the United States Capital also is included.
Roseto
Memorial Day Service, 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 27: The Martocci-Capobianco American Legion Post 750, led by the Bangor Area High School Band, will leave the post home on Garibaldi Avenue and proceed to the New Catholic Cemetery, where services will be h
From the cemetery, the Legionnaires will proceed to the Municipal Plaza on Garibaldi Avenue for the community services at the war monuments, beginning at 10:45 a.m. These services also will include the clergy from the area churches. Students from DeFranco Elementary and Faith Christian schools will read their winning essays.
Wreaths will then be placed on the war monuments. If rain, the community services will be held indoors at the post home at 143 Garibaldi Ave.
Upper Mount Bethel Township
34th Annual Memorial Day Service, 11 a.m. Monday, May 27: held by the Mount Bethel-Portland Memorial Post No. 216 American Legion. Parade starts at the Portland Fire Dept. Social Hall, State Street, and continues down Route 611/Delaware Drive, ending at the Riverview Cemetery, Delaware Avenue. A service will follow at the cemetery. Participants in the parade will meet prior at 10:30 a.m. at the social hall.
eld at 9 a.m. The contingent will then move to the Roseto Presbyterian Cemetery on Liberty Street for services at 9:30 a.m. The final graveside services will be held at the Catholic cemetery adjacent to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 10 a.m.
West Bangor
Annual Memorial Day Program, 11 a.m. Monday, May 27: hosted by the West Bangor Memorial Association at the Memorial Site, Second Street, West Bangor. The principal speaker will be USMC Major Jenna E. Reed., a former Bangor resident. She joined the Marine Corps in 2010 after graduating from Villanova University Law School.
In case of inclement weather, services will be held at the St. Joseph's Episcopal Church Social Hall, Verona Avenue, West Bangor.
Williams Township
Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony, 6 p.m. Sunday, May 26: Township residents will honor fallen heroes, living veterans and service persons on active duty.
A sunset ceremony will be held at the Williams Township Municipal Building, 655 Cider Press Road, in the township. There will be reflections on the contribution of the late founder Glen A. Zimpfer offered by Sharon and Phil Klinger, Helen and Tom Seifert, Tim Koplin, and Jessica Zimpfer. A memorial wreath in Zimpfer's honor will be laid by Daniel Zimpfer. The reading of the names of the fallen heroes will be provided by Dara Lavoie, assistant pastor of St. John's Church of Morgan Hill, as well as her son Trevor, and his wife, Tailor Cook.
Chuck Yeomans, committee member, is master of ceremonies. The Community Recognition Award will be given to Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor, an area service group. Richard Seiffert, volunteer trainer, will accept the award on behalf of the group. Also scheduled to participate is the Wilson Area High School Band, members of the township's scout troops, Pastor Blake Heffner of St. John's Church of Morgan Hill, the honor guard of the Marine Corps., League/Northampton County Detachment, students from Williams Township Elementary School, and members of the Veterans Memorial Committee.
Wind Gap
Memorial Day Service, 1 p.m. Sunday, May 26: Ceremony begins in front of the Wind Gap Legion Post No. 724, 217 N. Broadway, Wind Gap. A firing squad will be organized by the Lost Riders and a roll call will be read by legion commander Commander Rich Kramer of area veterans who have died. Taps will be performed by Brian Luckey of the Blue Eagles Drum and Bugle Corp.
Lehigh County
The following are Memorial Day events scheduled throughout Lehigh County:
Lehighvalleylive.com file photo
Allentown
Band Concert, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 26: the Municipal Band will play at West Park.
Great Pennsylvania Music & Art Fest, noon Monday, May 27: Memorial Day observances at the flagpole followed by a Bob Hope USO tribute show at 1 p.m., and the National Moment of Remembrance and patriotic concert by the Allentown Band at 3 p.m.
Patriots Sunday, 10:45 a.m. Sunday, May 26: starts with worship at Historic Zion's Liberty Bell Church, 620 W. Hamilton Street, to commemorate Lehigh County's "declaration of independence" enacted on May 27, 1776. This year's historic portion of the service will emphasize the "Little Liberty Bell" that called the Patriots to action. Cast in 1769 and hung above the church doors, the bell has its own story, told in a 250th anniversary exhibit at the Liberty Bell Museum, located in the lower level of the church building.
The service includes "living historians" from the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment, telling stories in period dress about the era. Afterward, the Regiment will load and fire their muskets to salute the Patriots being remembered Memorial Day weekend. Guests from the Valley Forge Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the American Revolution also will be in attendance.
The museum's "The Little Bell that Rang for Freedom" exhibit is open following the service of worship. The exhibit showcases the bell that became known as Allentown's Liberty Bell as it celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Catasauqua
Catasauqua American Legion Post No. 215 Visits, starting at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27: the post will visit Fairview Cemetery followed by the Pine Street Bridge at 10:15 a.m.; North Catasauqua Playground at 10:30 a.m.; St. Mary's Cemetery at 10:45 a.m.; and the Post home at 11:15 a.m. Refreshments will follow.
Macungie
Memorial Day Cemetery Visits, 10:15 a.m. Sunday, May 26: Macungie Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post No. 9264 will visit the St. Peters Union Church Cemetery, followed by the Macungie Fairview Cemetery at 11 a.m.; Solomon's Church Cemetery, Macungie, at 11:30 a.m.; Zion's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Old Zionsville, at 12:15 p.m.; and the Bethany United Methodist Cemetery, East Texas, at 12:45 p.m.
71st annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 27: begins with a flag raising and placing of the wreath at Macungie Memorial Park, 50 N. Poplar St. A parade follows at 10 a.m. along Main Street from Fairview Street to Macungie Memorial Park, where the annual program will be held. The guest speaker is Scotty Coyle, who was an Apache attack helicopter pilot in Bosnia in 1995, Iraq in 2004, and Afghanistan in 2007 and 2009. Coyle currently is pastor of discipleship at Bethany Church in Macungie.
A memorial service also is planned at noon hosted by the Macungie Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 9264 at Lehigh-Northampton Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 287 Lehigh St., Macungie.
South Whitehall Township
Memorial Day celebration, 10 a.m. to closing Monday, May 27: Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, 3830 Dorney Park Road. Includes a cookout at the Parkside Pavilion followed by full access to both parks, featuring more than 100 rides, shows and attractions, as well as the Planet Snoopy children's area. Wildwater Kingdom, (which opens Saturday, May 25), includes 26 water slides and two giant wave pools.
From Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27, all military veterans and up to to six immediate family members of military personnel can buy park tickets for $29.99. A valid government-issued ID is required. A fireworks show set against a backdrop of patriotic music is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25.
Warren County
The following are Memorial Day events scheduled throughout Warren County:
Blairstown Township
Blairstown Memorial Day Parade, noon Sunday, May 26: The Givens-Belet Post No. 258 American Legion sponsors the event at Cedar Ridge Cemetery, 117 Route 94, Blairstown. Memorial services will start the event, followed by a parade, starting at Route 94 and finishing at Footbridge Park. Trophies will be awarded and refreshments will be served.
Greenwich Township
Memorial Day Parade, 10 a.m. Monday, May 27: at the intersection of North Main Street and Willever Way in the township's Stewartsville section. The parade will travel down North Main Street and end in front of Mecsey-Bishop American Legion Post No. 456 along Greenwich Street. The guest speaker will be Colonel James Sikra. Parade participants should line up at 9:30 AM at the intersection of North Main Street and Willever Way in the township's Stewartsville section. Those wanting to join the parade should email Charlie Henshaw immediately at chenshaw@ptd.net.
Hackettstown
151st Memorial Day Parade, 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27: hosted by the American Legion Blue Ridge Post No. 164. Parade will start by the post office and proceed down Route 46 to Mountain Avenue, concluding with a service at Union Cemetery. The late Don Hendershot, former parade chairman and veteran, will be honored posthumously as Grand Marshal.
Memorial Motor Madness Car Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 26: hosted by the Hackettstown Rotary Club at the Mars Chocolate/North America facility on High Street. Rain or shine.
Lopatcong Township
Memorial Day 2 Bell Honor Ceremony, 1 p.m. Saturday, May 25: conducted by the Lehigh Valley Fleet Reserve Association Branch No. 115, which includes U.S. Marine, Navy and Coast Guard veterans. The National Anthem will be sung by Skylar Patricia. Leading the flag procession will be Alexa Harwelik, drummer, and Ian Li, flutist. Also participating are the Lopatcong Township Middle School Band and Choir, and bagpipers with the American Legion Post No. 9 Honor Guard, as well as local veterans. Scout Pack No. 54 will participate in a flag raising ceremony. Lopatcong Elementary School students will distribute poppies. There will be a roll call of deceased veterans and first responders. A bagpiper will play Amazing Grace at the conclusion of the ceremony.
A U.S. Army National Guard Blackhawk Helicopter plans to land at noon. Rain or shine, but at the Lopatcong Pavilion if rain; bring chairs.
Phillipsburg
Memorial Day Parade, 9 a.m. Monday, May 27: hosted by the Bernadine May American Legion. Parade starts at Abbott and South Main streets and then heads to Shappell Park for a brief ceremony before walking down to the Free Bridge. The group, as well as Phillipsburg Mayor Stephen Ellis, will then meet the Easton veterans group and Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. for a tossing of the wreath into the Delaware River.
Guests are then invited to the Bernadine May American Legion Post, 321 Marshall St., for a luncheon.
Other nearby areas
Riegelsville, Bucks County
Memorial Day Parade, 1 p.m. Sunday, May 26: hosted by the American Legion Post 950. Parade begins at the Riegelsville Firehouse, 333 Delaware Road, and proceeds through the downtown area with a gun salute, patriotic music and guest speakers, ending at the Riegelsville Union Cemetery, also on Delaware Road. Picnic lunch to follow at the outdoor pavilion of the American Legion Post, 234 Ash Lane, in Riegelsville.
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