U.S. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey challenged people at the Slatington Heritage Day to remember those who sacrificed for our freedoms.

"All men are created equal. This is what our men and women stand to protect. We would never have reached this state if not for Congress and the Army who fought in 1776," the Palmerton native said.He gave the keynote address for the ceremony which concluded in the Slatington Memorial Park, where the members of the Veterans Memorial Committee broke ground at the future location of a memorial monument."We are very blessed in Slatington to have these volunteers who've stepped up to do this," said veterans Chairman David Altrichter."The memorial will have 30 names of vets from around the area. We don't want to overlook any veteran. This will be a daily reminder to all of us on the price of freedom," he said.Dailey said, "It tells a story to the younger generation. We want every one of our young people to enjoy the memorial but remember the cost of freedom. I'm glad to see the sacrifices of our veterans honored. This is hometown America."Dailey highlighted two major battles during the Revolutionary War that took place on Pennsylvania's soil. The Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of Germantown, though both battles were lost, Dailey said, "It showed the grit and determination of the men who fought that day, it showed what America was made of. It was a testament to a better future."There are 1 million solders in the Army that I gladly and proudly represent today. There are men and women willing to step in front of a bullet to protect our freedom," he said.Dailey named the three things that can help keep America the land of the free."The first is to remember the original colonies who laid the foundation of this country. The second is to remember the men and women who've sacrificed everything to ensure our freedoms. And the third is to ask yourself if you're doing everything you can to preserve the American veterans of yesterday and tomorrow."This is my hometown, this is where it all began for me," he said.Dailey was sworn in as the 15th sergeant major of the Army on Jan 30, 2015, and has held every enlisted leadership position during his career, ranging from Bradley Fighting Vehicle commander to command sergeant major.The Slatington Baptist Church has been hosting an hourlong, music-filled Independence Day celebration since July 4, 1976, and the Rev. James LeVan said this year has been the biggest one yet with more than 250 people in attendance.The 15-member Heritage Day Community Band opened the morning program under the direction of Bradly Cressley with "Carnegie Anthem" and "America the Beautiful" as the audience filled every pew in the historic church on Main Street.Jason Breidinger, chamber board member and master of ceremonies, said, "This is a holiday where we gather generations past, present and future to honor the sacrifices made. Since 1976 this community has been gathering to celebrate Independence Day. Every year it seems to get better and better."The Slatington American Legion Post No. 16 donned uniforms in front of the church and distributed hand-sized flags in honor of the country's birthday.Anthony Gnas, a veteran of the Vietnam era and lifelong American Legion member, presented an empty chair and table to the room in honor of all the POW-MIA soldiers."The empty chair is a symbol of the thousands of POWs and MIAs still unaccounted for. For those lost in battle it's a remembrance, we join to pay humble witness to their heroic acts," he told the crowd. "Let us remember their great sacrifice."LeVan prayed over the congregation, "We come now to remember 240 years of a dream. We pray you will bring people together in harmony."The monument project is estimated to cost $40,000. So far, $10,000 has been raised.To help raise funds for the site, the committee started selling engraved bricks to community residents that will bear the names of honorably discharged veterans. Over 150 bricks have been sold so far, with more bricks available for purchase. A granite monument listing all Northern Lehigh area servicemen who lost their lives in the line of duty will be at the center of the memorial with seven flagpoles for each of the branches of service, MIA-POW and American flags on either side of the monument.Donations can be sent to Slatington Veterans Memorial Committee, P.O. Box 224, Slatington, PA 18080. Make checks payable to: Northern Lehigh Historical Society and include Veterans Memorial in the memo line. To purchase a brick, contact the committee directly or visit Slatington Veterans Memorial Facebook page.