During Friday's mild autumn morning, the Borough of Slatington residents recognized over a year's worth of planning and construction come to fruition.

Finishing touches were added to the Veterans Memorial in Memorial Park as late as 7 p.m., Thursday when the last two benches were put into place for the morning unveiling.The Slatington Veterans Memorial Committee hosted a dedication ceremony for the 500-pound granite monument and revamped park on Veterans Day with committee member and Pastor Henry Distler acting as emcee for the hourlong event."I'm delighted to my heart's end to be here. It is indeed a pleasure," he said.Over 300 residents and attendees filled the rows of folding chairs and spilled out onto the sidewalk for the unveiling. The American Legion Post 16 carried the colors of each branch of military followed by the Pledge of Allegiance before Victoria Lear sang the national anthem.Retired United States Marine Corps Reserve Colonel and Judge, James T. Anthony, spoke to the crowd during the ceremony. He informed the audience of the history of the Nov. 11, 1918 anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I after four years of conflict."It's an honor to be chosen to speak today," he said.He highlighted the importance of the day to the local community with a bit of Slatington's service background."Beginning with the end of World War I, where brave men like Private Allen O. Delke of Slatington died on the battlefields of France, American's have spent this day remembering the men and women of our armed forces who through the centuries have come together to fight for a common cause," he said."Our most potent weapon in war is without a doubt the brave men and women in uniform. Almost all are from 'salt of the earth' working class homes and more often than not are the sons and daughters of cops and firemen, factory and service workers, farmers and the like. These are kids who once delivered your papers, stocked shelves in the grocery store and played Little League. They have consciously put every American above their own self interest."Before leaving the podium, he asked all veterans to stand and be recognized along with the families of those service members."It is not only the service member who answers the call to duty. Our families' service is marked by the unwavering support to their loved ones who are in harm's way. They may not carry a rifle on their shoulder, but they have carried the weight of worry. Just as our veterans have made sacrifices, these families have made sacrificers as well."Mayor Walter Neidermeyer read a proclamation."The Slatington Veteran Memorial is dedicated to remind us to remember all who served honorably. The residents of Slatington Borough give their gratitude by dedicating this Memorial to our veterans."American Legion 14th District Commander Denise Harner and American Legion Post 16 Commander George Burke lifted the tarp unveiling the gray engraved memorial to the audience.The monument is front and center in the memorial and is flanked by the flags of all the military branches along with the POW and American flags. Four raised beds displaying the dedication bricks used to raise money for the memorial also line the area with plenty of room for more names of service members to be honored in the park.The Northern Lehigh High School Choir sang "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" and "America, the Beautiful" to commemorate the occasion.Chairman David Altrichter addressed the crowd in closing saying, "This is the best committee I have ever served on."Altrichter personally thanked Lehigh Engineering engineer Larry Turoscy for his part in working to construct and execute the park's plan."Under the Heroscaping program EP Henry donated all the brick," he said."Each brick has been placed here with honor. They only represent a small number of people who served in the military from Lehigh. We pass this on to keep reminding future generations that the price of freedom is not free."The freshly installed benches were dedicated to two lost community members, Arthur L. "Ted" Kistler and Richard C. Mantz."When we started this project in 2015, the last thing we could have conceived that two of our most active and well-known citizens would pass away."During their time of loss and grief, these families chose donations to be directed to support this memorial."The honor guard fired its traditional rifle salute as the church bells struck noon. Afterward, the crowd surged forward to get a closer look at the borough's new addition."I'm just proud of these people of Northern Lehigh for supporting it," said Neidermeyer.In attendance was future Marine Corps Serviceman Jeremy Schmick who will depart for boot camp in July."This is great for the community," said the 17-year-old.Schmick enlisted in the military to follow in his patriarch's footsteps."My grandfather and brother were both enlisted," he said. "It's great they're honoring the people who couldn't make it home.""It's incredible. I'm going to come here and sit," said Denise Martinez, daughter of committee member and service man George J. Kutta III of Palmerton."I dedicated a brick for a friend who was killed in action in Vietnam on Oct. 11, 1967 - Reese Elvin Jones," said Kutta.Bricks will continue to be sold to raise funds for the memorial's final price tag. To purchase a dedication stone, forms can be found at all local municipal buildings.