A special Independence Day event will be heldJuly 4 in Slatington.

In keeping with what has become tradition, the Annual Heritage Day Celebration, held since July 4, 1976, will take place at 10 a.m. at the Slatington Baptist Church on 509 Main St. in Slatington (corner of Main and Second streets in Slatington).Jason Breidinger, board member of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, will preside as master of ceremonies. The Heritage Day Band, under the direction of Brad Cressley, and the Northern Lehigh Freedom Chorus, under the direction of Anna Mary Milot, will provide music throughout the ceremony.Allen O. Delke will attend to the presentation of colors, representing American Legion Post No. 16. The Rev. James LeVan, pastor of the Slatington Baptist Church, will offer the invocation and benediction.The featured keynote speaker for the event will be Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, who was sworn in as the 15th sergeant major of the Army on Jan. 30, 2015.Dailey has held every enlisted leadership position during his career, ranging from Bradley Fighting Vehicle commander to command sergeant major.A native of Palmerton, Dailey enlisted in the Army in 1989 and attended basic training and advanced individual training as an 11B (Infantryman) at Fort Benning, Georgia.In addition to four tours in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, Dailey deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.He was decorated with the Bronze Star with Valor for his leadership during the 4th Infantry Division's two-month "Battle for Sadr City" in 2008.During his career, Dailey has served with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions stateside and overseas.In March 2009, Dailey was selected as the 4th Infantry Division command sergeant major, where he served as both the command sergeant major of Fort Carson, Colorado, and U.S. Division North, Iraq.In 2011, Dailey was selected to serve as the command sergeant major of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.Dailey's military and civilian education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, the Bradley Master Gunner Course, the Force Management Course and the Keystone Course.He is a graduate of class 54 of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and the Command Sergeants Major Course.Dailey holds a Bachelor of Science (summa cum laude) from Excelsior College.Immediately following the Heritage Day program inside the church, guests are invited to the Slatington Memorial Park, across the street from the church, for the groundbreaking on the site of the future Slatington Veterans Memorial.The memorial is set to be built at Memorial Park located on the grounds of the former Slatington High School.The main attractions will include a granite monument listing all Northern Lehigh area servicemen who lost their lives in the line of duty, seven flagpoles for each of the branches of service, MIA-POW and American flags, as well as engraved bricks listing the names of veterans.Everyone is invited to enjoy the program, groundbreaking and stay for a brief reception afterward.The celebration is a combined effort of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and community volunteers.