It’s been a little over a year in the planning, but 150 years in the making.

This Monday the monthlong series of events leading up to Tamaqua’s annual Memorial Day observance will culminate with a parade and cemetery service.

Along the way, the volunteers of Tamaqua Remembers have successfully captured the interest of the entire community, including teenagers whose only exposure to America’s greatest wars are the memories of older family members.

So, just what does Memorial Day mean to today’s younger generation?

High school students in the classes of art teacher Kim Woodward became involved by creating works of art that have been on display since early May. Teacher Lori Remmel’s students red, white and blue washed an American flag with the names of Tamaqua’s war dead on Stadium Hill, while elementary-age students created greeting cards to send to military members currently deployed around the world.

For additional answers, Tamaqua Remembers held an essay contest for all local high school students. The topic for the 500-word essay was simply “Why We Must Remember Memorial Day.”

Contest winners included two students from Tamaqua Area High School (first and third place) and one Marian Catholic High School student (second place).

Leah Mateyak

First place

Leah Mateyak is a freshman student at Tamaqua Area High School. She is the daughter of Amy Mateyak and lives in the Still Creek area. She is a majorette and a member of the Drama Club.

“Getting out of school, going to parades, being with family ... ah yeah! I love this holiday! Veterans Day? ... Wait, what? MEMORIAL Day? ... So ... basically the same thing as Veterans Day, right? WRONG!!!

“This holiday on the last Monday of May means a lot more than some people think! Memorial Day celebrates the brave men and women that lost their lives serving in the military. Although this is the ultimate sacrifice, what does it truly mean to die for the flag? Well there are two meanings, one quite literal, and one more metaphorical to an extent. Both, however, very meaningful.

“The literal meaning, in my opinion, is one of the most brave and valiant things one could do. Back in the Civil War time, it was the Union against the Confederates. Both sides had their own flag, and to move forces forward, someone would literally carry the flag forward to advance the troops. With all the smoke from cannons and guns, this was the only way for either side to know it was safe, and to know it is time to advance forward. That might not seem as valiant as one might think, but what is the most obvious thing to do if you see your enemy carrying a pole with a brightly colored banner attached to it? Shoot! The literal meaning is that brave (mostly men at the time) would advance the troops and die holding the flag.

“The metaphorical meaning is most likely the one people think of first. And the hardest to describe for that matter. In order for someone to say, ‘I am willing to die for my country to protect our freedom’ takes a lot. You only get one life! However, we are all so thankful we have brave men and women who do that, and who are prepared to give up their life so that we Americans are free. I would love to be as brave as these men and women, and words cannot express my, and all fellow Americans’ gratitude toward this noble deed.

“In conclusion, Memorial Day is not some holiday that is only used for getting out of work, watching fireworks or eating hot dogs. It celebrates the lives of those who laid down their lives for our country and her freedom. Dead or alive, I feel like these wonderful people deserve more than just a holiday. They deserve the very best of everything! One can take the phrase ‘dying for the flag’ in different ways than I, but nobody can disagree with the meaning of the true sacrifice.”

Macie Mazalusky

Second place

Marian student Macie Mazalusky is a member of the sophomore class. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mazalusky lives in Delano and is active in SADD, Green Club, P.A.W.S and Hope For All as well as being a member of the track and volleyball teams.

“Memorial Day is defined as a day on which those who died in active military service are remembered on the last Monday in May. However, that is most often not the reason people celebrate it. The true meaning of Memorial Day has gotten lost in a three-day weekend full of cookouts, vacation and shopping sales. Memorial Day should always be remembered and celebrated, just for the right reasons.

“Most Americans, especially teens, have never experienced any type of war. For that reason, we do not fully understand how much our soldiers sacrifice. Most Americans don’t always give soldiers the true respect that they deserve. Memorial Day is a pure time to reflect and remember all of those who have lost their lives for the freedom and protection of our country. It should only be about honoring the brave men and women who gave their all for us. We must remember this day because risking your life for your country is the bravest thing a person can do. It’s time we bring the real meaning of Memorial Day back and appreciate how great our nation is and how respected our soldiers should be.

“There are three ways we as Americans can start to bring back the real meaning of Memorial Day. The first way is to try and make it personal. Research about this day and share what you find with your friends or ask your elders if they have any knowledge or stories about this special day. The second way is to simply honor the national holiday. Any small thing can help you honor this day the right way, such as participating in a meaningful parade, standing tall and thanking a veteran for their service, or even putting up a flag at your house. The third way is to celebrate the freedom we now have. Celebrate the life you were given and be thankful that brave soldiers gave their life for you to be able to live yours.

Tom Hosler

Third place

Tom Hosler is a member of the junior class at Tamaqua Area High School. The son of Thomas B. Hosler and Marybeth Hosler lives within the borough of Tamaqua. A member of the Drama Club and its stage crew, he has been elected as vice president of his class for his senior year. An honor student and member of the Science National Honor Society, he also serves on the high school’s honor card review board and is an avid history buff.

“The prestigious military academy West Point has a saying, ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’ Gen. Douglas MacArthur deemed these hallowed words to mean what you ought to be, what you can be and what you will be. For the men and women of the fine armed forces of these United States, this maxim is a rallying call to continue the struggle for liberty under new resolve, and to preserve the fight for freedom within their blood, and their fortitude. For us here in the little borough of Tamaqua, our call to service is celebrating, honoring and remembering. For us who stayed on the home front, or those who had the God-given grace to fight and come away with their lives, it is now our duty to remember those 91 souls among the millions who have made the ultimate sacrifice; it is our obligation as a people to continue their legacy through the centuries.

“On this sesquicentennial of Memorial Day, we must fight for those 91 individuals the same way they fought for us. They did not give their goals and hopes and lives for a political agenda or avarice or hate. They gave everything for us because we were in peril; their people were threatened, and they stood up to the call and saluted, so that we could live and relish the fruits of liberty earned and protected by their minds, bodies and souls. Now it is our turn to give them the recognition, the respect, and the honor they deserve, no, that they earned. We must celebrate. We must honor. We must remember.

“For us, we are not commemorating these 91 siblings, parents and relatives for congratulations, profit or societal advance. We are because we must. Without the future, and our remembrance, the sacrifices of the past were for naught. Personally, I am paying tribute to my great-granduncle Franklin Eugene Hosler, who perished in Vietnam in 1966. However, I share the memory of all those brave souls who perished, on our lands or the sands of Africa or the forests of Europe, the jungles of the Pacific, or the muddy mountains of Vietnam and every other place that has needed to be saved by liberty or reminded of the price of taking freedom away. The whole extended family of Tamaqua remembers, and in another 150 years at the tricentennial of this solemn holiday, I pray my great-grandchildren are following the example we set forth this month.”