The annual Memorial Day Parade was held Monday in Palmerton, sponsored by the Palmerton United Veteran's Organization, which is comprised of American Legion Post 269, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7134.

Parade participants included the Palmerton Marching Band, Palmerton Booster Club, Cub Pack 41 of Palmerton, Boy Scout Troop 41 of Palmerton, Boy Scout Troop 209 of Palmerton, Boy Scout Troop 20 of Palmerton, Cub Pack 209 of Towamensing, the Palmerton area Girl Scout service unit, Palmerton Municipal Fire Department, West End Fire Company of Palmerton, Aquashicola Fire Company, Kunkletown Fire Company, Palmerton Fire Police, Palmerton Community Ambulance, Ashley Stetler, Miss Poppy, and Kameron Behler, Legion Mascot.Services were held immediately after the parade in the borough park.Bruce Reiner, U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, asked each veteran in attendance from the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force to come forward and be recognized for their service to our country.Family members of those in the military presently serving overseas and in our country were then given an opportunity to announce their names.Jim Christman said he was told he was chosen as a guest speaker for being recognized as a community leader and military supporter.While he met with recruiters at the age of 18, Christman said he was turned down for medical reasons."Growing up, I've always had a great appreciation for the freedom we have as Americans," Christman said. "Through curiosity about history, I learned that freedom is not the norm for most civilizations.""Protection, that's where the heroes came in just like the men in the bandshell with me, those that have served in the Armed Forces to protect our freedom, our way of life," he said. "They're the real heroes."One example, he said, is men like Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, who has completed four tours in Iraq and now oversees almost one million soldiers."Combat or not, every serving man or woman is a hero because they committed to protecting our freedom," he said.Christman said the American soldier is what paved the way for our freedom."The will of our great fighting men and women; without their contribution, we would have ceased to be the USA a long time ago," he said. "Our citizens would have been revoked by another invading nation."Steve Vlossak, U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War."That is why I wore my Vietnam Jungle fatigues, as a way to honor and remember that time and all who served," Vlossak said. "So, to all you Vietnam vets, welcome home."Vlossak added, "We must continue to live our lives for those who never came home; we must live for our 58,200-plus brothers and sisters memorialized on the wall at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington (D.C.), we owe it to them," he said. "Just like we owe it to all who have made the supreme sacrifice."Vlossak said, "Please remember all those who have sacrificed everything. Remember what it means to give your life, and to live life, and each time you smile, you cry or laugh, or hear a bird sing, think of them, never forget them, live for them."Ed Moyer, commander of American Legion Post 269 of Palmerton, recognized Leon Borger for 60 consecutive years with the Palmerton Legion, and Latimer J. Eckhart, for 50 consecutive years with the Palmerton Legion.Joseph Plechavy III, along with Larry and Susie Arner, received plaques for their contributions to the Memorial Day program.