The Slatington Veterans Day memorial committee held a celebration Sunday commemorating the 100th anniversary of the armistice agreement which ended the first World War.

The ceremonies began with church bells ringing throughout Slatington, just as they did 100 years ago, signifying the end of the war.

Taking place at the Slatington veterans memorial, several speakers read biographies of seven soldiers from the Northern Lehigh area who lost their lives during the war.

Herbert P. Lentz was the first soldier recognized. Lentz was the first from the Slatington area to lose his life in the war. Lentz enlisted in the Navy when he was 17 years old. He was deployed on the destroyer USS Jacob Jones. The ship was struck by a torpedo fired from a German submarine and was the first destroyer lost in World War I. Lentz was recognized for helping to save the lives of three crew members before he perished.

Allen O. Delke, a member of the U.S. Army Infantry, was killed in action just days before the armistice agreement ended the war. Three years later his body was returned and was taken through Slatington on a horse-drawn caisson.

Frances H. Handwerk, a member of the U.S. Army Infantry, was killed in action while serving in Belgium. His unit took fire by large artillery shells.

Laird E.A. Kern, a member of the U.S. Army Infantry, passed away due to wounds sustained during the war. Kern passed on the day of the armistice exactly 100 years ago.

Raymond T. Richards, a member of the U.S. Army Infantry, died due to pneumonia.

Thomas C. Snyder, a member of the U.S. Army Infantry, was killed in action during the Argonne Offensive in France. The Argonne Offensive was the largest in United States history and involved more than 1 million U.S. soldiers.

Owen J. Williams, a member of the U.S. Army Infantry, was also killed in action during the Argonne Offensive.

During the readings of biographies it was noted that the families of the deceased soldiers were paid $200 for their sacrifices.

The ceremonies concluded with a gun salute and the playing of taps to honor the deceased.