The Slatington Baptist Church has been hosting an hour-long music filled Independence Day celebration since July 4, 1976, and according to the Rev.James LeVan this year has been the biggest one yet with over 250 people in attendance.

"Everyone knows it goes on here every year at 10 a.m.," said Marlyn Kissner, executive vice president of affiliate chambers and councils for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce."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," said Jason Breidinger, Chamber board member and Master of Ceremonies."They know there's going to be a band and great speaker. It's an Independence Day tradition," Kissner said.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.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 located on Main Street."With the money donated last year, we were able to buy new music for this year's celebration," said Cressley. "We tried to add a few more contemporary songs this year."Anthony Gnas, a veteran of the Vietnam era and life-long 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."The Rev. 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 Northern Lehigh Freedom Chorus led by Anna Mary Milot, sang patriotic selections including. "Battle Hymn of the Republic" to honor the country.As the last bars of "Stars and Stripes Forever" came to a close U.S. Army Sgt. Major Daniel Dailey took the stage for this year's address.Dailey thanked the chamber and church for hosting the event before turning to the entertainment, "If they didn't get your American juices flowing, you're in the wrong place," he said."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."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," Dailey said. He highlighted two major battles during the Revolutionary War that took place on Pennsylvania's soil. The Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of German Town, though both battles were lost, according to Dailey, "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."The audience rose to its feet with applause and cheers for the Palmerton native.The program continued in the Slatington Memorial Park, where the members of the Veterans Memorial Committee broke ground at the future location of the memorial monument."We are very blessed in Slatington to have these volunteers who've stepped up to do this," said 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."It tells a story to the younger generation. We want everyone of our young people to enjoy the memorial but remember the cost of freedom," Dailey said. "I'm glad to see the sacrifices of our Veterans honored. This is hometown America."The 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 bare 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.