The American Legion Allen O. Delke Post 16 in Slatington has started planning this year’s Memorial Day activities and schedule according to Post Commander Bernie Dugan.

Dennis Ziegler, president of the Veterans Day and Memorial Day Committees of the Allen O. Delke Post 16, The American Legion, held its first meeting. The following officers were elected: Dennis Ziegler, president; and George Burke, vice president.

Items discussed at the meeting included replacing flags on veterans’ graves, Memorial Day weekend services, Memorial Day parade and services, and participants and speakers for Memorial Day which is May 27 this year at Union Cemetery in Slatington.

Flags for the veterans’ graves will be replaced on May 5. Volunteers will leave the American Legion Post at 9 a.m. to replace flags on the following 12 cemeteries: Williamstown, Jacksonville, New Tripoli U.C.C., Heidelberg U.C.C., Neff’s Lutheran, Seventh Street Catholic, Fairview, Friedens, Presbyterian, Washington St. Catholic, Slatedale and Union cemeteries. Rain dates are May 12 or May 19.

Anyone wishing to help please meet at the American Legion Post by 8:30 a.m. All are welcome to honor our deceased veterans.

Approximately 2,600 flags are scheduled to be replaced. Each veteran from the Revolutionary War to the present day whose grave is in these cemeteries will have his grave checked, the metal grave marker checked and flag replaced with a new one.

The flags are provided by the county for Memorial Day. The county no longer provides flags for Veterans Day in November. The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 16 from the Allen O. Delke Post has taken on the responsibility of purchasing flags for Veterans Day. They are conducting various fundraisers to collect the approximately $3,000 needed to purchase the flags.

Memorial Day weekend will start with the Boy Scouts of the post-sponsored Troop 66 offering poppies on Friday and Saturday to help disabled veterans.

On May 26, the Legion Post 16, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 16, and the Legion Riders will conduct services at nine outlying cemeteries.

The Legion Auxiliary will provide lunch afterward.

On May 27, the Legion family will hold services at the remaining three cemeteries and at the Trout Creek covered bridge.

The Slatington 99th Memorial Day parade will form on Second and Main Street at 9:30 a.m. The parade to Union cemetery starts at 10 a.m., followed by the main service at Union cemetery.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend and participate at all services.

Other business

Commander Dugan announced that nominations for officers in the Legion Post 16 for the 2019-20 year will be held May 6, 13 and 20. Elections will be held on June 3 from noon to 8 p.m. Members will vote for officers and also to change the bylaws to change the Legion meeting from once a week to once a month. This is a 100-year-old tradition. The Post is the only one in the state to hold its meeting once a week.

The Post is planning to celebrate its 100th anniversary this summer. Dates for the window display, open house in the Delke Room, and the Birthday Bash will be announced later.

Any veteran wishing to join this country’s largest veteran organization, or any son of a veteran wishing to join the Sons of the Legion, can call 610-767-4142 for further information.