Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor the fallen veterans of our country.

On Monday, the Nesquehoning VFW Post 8008, Auxiliary and American Legion Post 172; family members and friends gathered to honor their fallen brethren.The rain put a damper on the borough's annual parade, which was canceled as a result of the weather, but it didn't stop the groups from remembering the reason for the solemn day.Before the service at the VFW Post home, the Nesquehoning UVO held brief memorial services at the veterans memorial at the west end of town, as well as at the Nesquehoning Lions Club veterans memorial in St. Patrick's Cemetery.As everyone gathered at the VFW, Donato DeMarco, master of ceremonies, welcomed the crowd and introduced Poppy Queen and King Kensington and Zane Strohl, who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.During the service, retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Dodson, the main speaker, spoke about what Memorial Day means to him."This day represents hope for me," he said. "This national day of solemn remembrance, we reaffirm our commitment to each other as Americans and acknowledge the sacrifices made to preserve our shared value of liberty. This day compels the whole of this nation to pause however briefly to confront the truth that sacrifice is necessary for America to persevere."He recognized the family members of the late Lt. Fred Knauf, who traveled from Michigan, Illinois and Canada to remember their lost loved one."The Knauf family understands loss," Dodson said. "Seventy-five years ago this March, Lt. Fred Knauf, a young Army pilot, crashed his plane into the Broad Mountain. He did not survive, but every year since then on that fateful day, his family and this community have continued to pay tribute to his memory. In honoring his tragic passing a family and a county have become united in kinship."Other speakers included Robert Paul, president of the Nesquehoning UVO; Robert Feinsilber, commander of the American Legion Post 172; Christa Kattner, president of the VFW auxiliary, Mayor Sam Kitchko; Janice Hood and Fred Knauf, family members of Lt. Knauf in attendance; and Richard Ellis, commander of the Nesquehoning VFW.Panther Valley students Noah Easterly, Brendan Morgans and Christina Dacey read Logan's General Order, the Gettysburg Address and the poem "In Flanders Field."Theodore Dacey, chaplain of the VFW, read the roll call of the 26 veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day.On Sunday, the Nesquehoning UVO also participated in a prayer and gun salute at the outlying cemeteries in the borough.