With visits to nine area cemeteries on May 24 and three more to be visited on Memorial Day morning the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion and Legion Riders honored the veterans who gave their all to save freedom for the rest of us.

This was the 95th year American Legion Post 16, Slatington, has been making its Memorial Day weekend trek.Master of ceremonies for the Memorial Day program was Dennis Ziegler. He said: "When peril threatened and their country called, with what divine self-sacrifice they left their paths of peace to spring to arms, to make their breasts a barricade against the nation's foes. No horror of the field or sea, or air could beat their courage down. They fought for us, they fell for us. Now with one accord in deepest reverence we do them honor."The Legion Riders escort the cars that transport the participants from cemetery to cemetery where all the veterans' graves are recognized with flags.Scott Schaeffer and Jess Troxell played taps at the end of each honoring. Ricky Bose carried the ammunition for the rifle squad.At Union Cemetery a wreath is placed on the grave of Allen O. Delke, for whom the post is named. His grave marker reads: "Pvt. Co 131 Inf. May 30, 1887, killed in France, Nov 2, 1918."The Seventh Street Cemetery, though small, has veterans' flags on over 30 graves.At Friedens Church substitute Pastor Karlene Laub said, "May the Lord be with you. May his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. Go in peace and serve the Lord."At United Presbyterian Church the message was delivered from the top of a hill overlooking a memorial garden for those who were cremated.Cory Held of New Tripoli said, "This never gets old. I had a friend who called and he said 'have a safe ride.' He knew where I'd be."Ziegler repeats his message at each stop: "A thousand battles of land and sea and air echo the glory of their valiant deeds. Under the quiet sod or beneath the murmuring waves their bodies sleep in peace. But in the destinies of men, their souls go marching on. Because of them our lives are free. Because of them our nation lives."He ends his talk with a request to the assembled people: "Let us grasp with fearless hands the flag so nobly borne before, and like those others, plant it always on the battlements of righteousness."The rifle squad gave a rifle salute and taps was played."Day is done, gone the sunfrom the lake, from the hills from the sky.All is well, safely rest, God is nigh."