A veteran of the Korean War spoke during the annual Memorial Day service Monday in Summit Hill’s Ludlow Park.

Paul McArdle, a former mayor in the borough for 20 years, told the several hundred people gathered for the service, “To be an American is an honor. To be a veteran is a blessing.”

He said, “Memorial Day is not about picnics and parades. It is about gratitude and remembrance.”

Still, he encouraged those to enjoy their picnics and the borough’s parade because it is through the sacrifice of veterans that such freedoms are enjoyed.

The Memorial Day service is coordinated by Davis-Lawton-Yurko-Breslin-Bevich American Legion Post 316 in Summit Hill.

McArdle, a lifelong member of the Summit Hill American Legion Post, was mayor for two consecutive decades until last year when he opted to not seek re-election. He also had previously served on Summit Hill Borough Council.

In emphasizing how freedom isn’t free, he gave special mention of the 13 American soldiers killed in a terrorist attack last August in Kabul, Afghanistan. McArdle presented the names of the soldiers and some background on each.

“They came from every background but had a common goal: to service America and make life better for others,” he said, adding, “They had the same vision as those who served in Korea 60 years before.”

The current mayor, Jeffrey Szczecina, was the master of ceremonies. He said he talked to another Korean War veteran, Summit Hill resident Stanley Zuber, who was a youngster when World War II ended. Szczecina said Zuber recalls the large parades held in Summit Hill when that war ended.

The mayor said he learned from Zuber that Memorial Day festivities have been happening in Summit Hill for at least the past 70 years.

Mayor Szczecina requested a moment of silence for the 21 victims and families “from the senseless school shooting in Texas last week.”

Gregory Miller, chaplain of the Legion Post, gave the roll call of veterans from the borough who have passed away since last Memorial Day. The roll call included 17 names. They are:

Patrick Coleman, Eugene Sommers, Joseph Sweeney, Charles Nihen, Andrew Snoha, Nicholas Kokinda, John Kokinda, Joseph Ciavaglia, Paul Zuzu, Clarence “Topsy” Derby, Robert Forest, William Sittler.

Robert Szczecina, Richard Orsulak, William Hood, Ernest Kerestes Jr. and Thomas Ellis.

Three Panther Valley High School students took part in the program.

David “Trey” McAndrew III read the Gettysburg Address.

Mergrim “Jimmy” Bushati presented Logan’s General Order.

Brenna McAndrew read “In Flanders Field”

During the program, Mayor Szczecina introduced the 2022 Poppy Queen, Reagan Jones, and purchased a poppy.

Members of the Summit Hill Legion Post presented a gun salute. Panther Valley High School student Nick Surotchak played taps. Another PVHS student, Gino Williams, did drum accompaniment.