The Allen O. Delke Post 16 American Legion of Slatington held a Memorial service at Union Cemetery, Slatington.

It began with a parade from the post home to the cemetery. Boy, Cub and Girl Scouts were marching with the Legion members. The Slatington High School band under the direction of David Carroll played several numbers.

Charles Rowlands was announced as the oldest post member at 97 with 76 years of membership.

Henry Distler of St. John’s UCC gave the invocation.

Master of Ceremonies Dennis Ziegler mentioned that the POW/MIA empty chair was in front of the stage — a symbol of all military members who are unaccounted for.

Distler said in prayer that Memorial Day gives everyone an opportunity to do good and remember all who served. Through God’s grace may they be remembered always.

Slatington Mayor Walter Niedermeyer said they commemorate those who laid down their lives.

“No words or condolences can replace the brothers and sisters who left their community and took it upon themselves to fight for us,” he said. “Today we know how to honor them by keeping them in our hearts.”

Ziegler introduced the principal speaker, Rear Adm. David Kunkel, United States Coast Guard. He was raised in Allentown and graduated from Kutztown State College. Immediately after that, Kunkel joined the Coast Guard. He earned his wings in Pensacola, Florida. In 1975 he was designated a Coast Guard aviator. He was promoted to rear admiral of the seventh district.

He earned many awards before his retirement after 37 years.

Kunkel said, “Memorial Day is the most cherished of services. It was known as Decoration Day to honor the dead. The meaning is the same, only the name changed.”

He stressed that freedom isn’t free. We remember those in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard for giving their all. The Coast Guard, a part of the home service, transfers to the Department of Defense under naval command in time of war.

The Coast Guard is 43,000 strong, but during World War II it had 241,000 members. Kunkel told of some of the honored Coast Guard members he knew.

Douglas Munro died when the Marines on Guadalcanal had to be rescued from a larger Japanese force. All went well until the final contingent was loaded. Munro maneuvered his boat to rescue the last man and received a fatal wound but managed to ask, “Did they all get off?”

John Pritchard Jr. and Benjamin Bottoms attempted a rescue of an Army B-17 that force landed on a Greenland ice cap. The next day they went back for more of the downed crewmen and was never heard from again. The B-17 was buried under 40 feet of ice. After 70 years it is believed the plane has been found and attempts will be made to bring the crew home.

Jack Rittichier flew a rescue helicopter in Vietnam, an HH-3E. He swept the terrain trying to rescue a downed and wounded pilot when his aircraft caught fire.

In 2002, an HH-3E “Jolly Green 23” was found near the crash site. He was brought home and buried at Arlington.

Nathan Bruckenthal was protecting an oil terminal in Iraq. A boarding team’s inflatable flipped and killed him and his crew.

Navy Lt. Frederick Caesar was flying an ice patrol along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers when he struck an electrical transmission line. The plane fell into the river.

Bob Carson transferred to Kodiak, Alaska, and was trying to evacuate a wounded man who had head injuries. Ice blocked the engine and he and his crew of five crashed into a mountain.

Kunkel said, “Let me leave you with a few facts. Only 1 percent of the population serve. In Congress those who served are at an all-time low. No one is left alive from World War I. Sadly, most want to forget Vietnam. The celebration reaffirms our enthusiasm and faith. Thanks to the unselfish service today, we can continue to be free.”

David Altrichter and Mark Queen placed a wreath on the grave of Allen O. Delke, Pvt. Co. 1314 Div.; May 30, 1887- Nov. 2, 1918. He died in France.

Distler prayed, “We are grateful for your protection and guidance. We pray for your blessings to stay with them.”