Final plans are in place for Carbon County’s largest tribute to America — the Summit Hill Memorial Day Parade — which will be held on Monday, beginning at 11 a.m. at Ludlow Park in the hilltop community.

The parade will be preceded by the traditional memorial services in the park, starting at 10 o’clock, where Vincent Suzadail, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, will deliver the keynote address.

The Rev. Walter W. Breiner II, also a Navy veteran of that war, will be the guest of honor that day, serving as grand marshal of the parade.

Following the service, he will ring the old bell of the former Summit Hill High School, signaling the step off the line of march that will head west on Ludlow Street, around St. Joseph Catholic Church and proceed east for the full length of White Street.

Tribute to veterans

Members of the Davis-Lawton-Yurko-Breslin-Bevich American Legion Post 316, Summit Hill, will conduct the traditional service in the park, where William K. O’Donnell, commander, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Student orators from Panther Valley High School will include Charles Byers, Thad Karnish and Andrea McArdle.

White Bear service

On Sunday, American Legion Post 316 will hold its annual memorial service at 1 p.m. in St. Joseph Cemetery in White Bear.

PVHS student orators will include Emily Newton. Carbon County Commissioner William O’Gurek will provide the keynote address.

Post 316 announced poppies, the memorial flower to the war dead and long a tradition of the American Legion Auxiliary nationally, will be available Sunday and Monday morning from 2019 Poppy Queen Paige Goida, daughter of Thomas and Casey Goida of Summit Hill.

Parade contests

In conjunction with the parade, the parade committee is once again sponsoring its house decorating and float competitions, both of which will be based on patriotic themes.

The house decorating contest judging will take place on Sunday by out-of-town judges. Every house in Summit Hill, including the White Bear and Mountain Top Road sections of the borough, is eligible.

The parade floats will also be judged by out-of-town judges during the line of march.

Monetary prizes will be awarded in both competitions.

Parade lineup

Thomas Vermillion, chairman of the Summit Hill Memorial Day Parade Committee, announced the following lineup for the 2019 line of march:

First division: Form on Ludlow Street, from Walnut to Market streets, and on Market Street, from Ludlow to Hazard streets – Summit Hill Police, Grand Marshal Rev. Walter W. Breiner II, Summit Hill American Legion Post 316, Summit Hill American Legion Auxiliary Unit 316, 2019 Poppy Queen Paige Goida, American Legion 30th District Commander, Summit Hill Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 316, Summit Hill Mayor Paul R. McArdle Sr., Summit Hill Historical Society, Summit Hill Water Authority, Summit Hill Heritage Center, Summit Hill Borough Council, Panther Valley High School Marching Band, Panther Valley High School Cheerleaders, Panther Valley High School JROTC, Carbon County Commissioner William J. O’Gurek, Carbon County District Attorney Jean Engler, Summit Hootenanny, Anthracite Little League, Summit Hill Girls’ Softball, Hope of Christ Presbyterian Church, Shining Stars Preschool and Diligence Fire Company No. 1, Summit Hill.

Second division: Form on Ludlow Street, from Market to Chestnut streets – Schuylkill-Carbon Marine Corps League, Nolan Ritchie Stay Afloat Foundation, Carbon County Sheriff’s Department, Rep. Jerry Knowles, Jim Thorpe Ancient Order of Hibernians, Jim Thorpe Area High School Marching Band, Yuengling Beer Wagon, Heisler’s Milk Wagon, PA Outdoor Veterans, Inc., Panther Valley High School Cheerleaders (collecting donations for 2020 parade), Dance Explosion, Parents Against Bullying/Children Against Bullying, PA National Guard, Lehighton, Carbon County Commissioner Wayne E. Nothstein, Lehighton Fire Department, Lehighton Ambulance, Lansford Ambulance, Lansford Fire Company, Nesquehoning Fire Company, Nesquehoning Ambulance, Mahoning Valley Ambulance and Mahoning Valley Fire Company.

Third division: Form on Ludlow Street, from Market to Chestnut streets – Civil War Unit, Company K, 81st PA Volunteers, Coaldale, VFW, Coaldale VFW Auxiliary, Coaldale American Legion, Blue Eagle Drum and Bugle Corps, Carbon County Navy Club, PA National Guard, Hometown, Storm All Star Cheerleaders, Panther Valley Youth Soccer, Grace Community Church Vacation Bible School, St. Luke’s Healthstar Van, Mauch Chunk Coffee, Jeff Reigel’s 1979 Pierce Fire Truck, The Dance Factory, Sgt. Nick Heist & Company Army Jeep, Bolus Freight Systems, New Columbus Fire Company, East Penn Township Fire Company, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Citizen’s Fire Company, Tamaqua, Bowmanstown Fire Company and Franklin Township Fire Company.

Fourth division: Form on Ludlow Street, from Chestnut to Oak streets – Lansford American Legion, Lansford American Legion Auxiliary, Panther Valley Riders, Lansford AMVETS, Lansford Mayor James Romankow, Lansford Police, Lansford Girl Scouts and Brownies, Lansford Boy Scouts, Cub Pack 765 of the Panther Valley, Clay and Tom, Carbon County United Way, Carbon County School for the Performing Arts, Shenandoah Valley High School Marching Band, JT Farms, Coaldale Ambulance, Coaldale Fire Company, Hauto Fire Company, Hometown Fire Company, Tamaqua Ambulance, Laurel Fire Company, Weatherly Ambulance, New England/Walker Township Fire Company and Albrightsville Fire Company.