Palmerton held its America 250 Semiquincentennial Celebration Sunday in the Palmerton Borough Park. A gathering of more than 200 people enjoyed the various programs held in the park.

Palmerton Mayor Bo Rodrigues thanked Palmerton Historical Society Lynn Shupp and the committee.

“I want to thank Lynn and all the members of the American 250 Committee in Palmerton for the phenomenal job they did in planning and organizing this event.”

The mayor also thanked all the other volunteers, sponsors, donors, and those who decorated their homes and businesses for showing their patriotism.

The day started with an ecumenical service in the band shell in the park. The Rev. Will Hoffman, pastor of St. Matthew’s E.C. Church, Kunkletown, served as emcee and introduced those at the service.

“Today, churches from across our community have come together to demonstrate that, while we may worship in different congregations, we serve the same Lord, Jesus Christ,” Rev. Hoffman said. “We celebrate our shared faith, our shared community, and our shared hope for our future generation.”

Other clergy who took part, included Revs. John DeSousa, Kenneth T. Melber Jr., Keith House, and Andrea Arrington. The Bethany Church Youth band performed several songs for the service.

Following the ecumenical service, the official opening ceremonies were held, featuring the Palmerton United Veterans Organization. and Mitchell Hourt playing taps on trumpet.

Lisa Snell Kern sang the National Anthem.

Daniel Dailey, a veteran from the United States Army, presented a large American flag, and many of the people gathered for the service were invited to take part in the official folding of the flag. Dailey brought the flag home from Iraq after his service there. Each fold of the flag means something, and the entire folding ceremony was explained.

Following the flag ceremony, a single plane flew by over the park.

Palmerton Mayor Bo Rodrigues addressed those gathered in the park.

“As we celebrate our nation’s history, we remember that America was never built by people who agreed on everything,” Rodrigues said. “It was built by people who believed in something greater than themselves, and were willing to work together for the common good.”

Rodrigues also found the same qualities in the people of Palmerton.

“The strength of our community is not found in our differences; but, in our willingness to stand beside one another through good times and difficult times alike.”

State Rep. Doyle Heffley spoke next about the Pennsylvania’s contribution to the nation.

“250 years ago, a group of courageous men gathered in Philadelphia and signed the Declaration of Independence,” Heffley stated. “In doing so, they declared to the world that liberty is not granted by a king or by a government, but it’s a gift from our Creator.”

Heffley also pointed out how Pennsylvania took an active role in the nation’s history. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Pennsylvania. The Constitution was debated and adopted in Pennsylvania.

“And yet, America’s story was not written in Philadelphia alone,” Heffley added. “It was written in all the small towns, the farming communities, the villages the settlements, by ordinary citizens who believed in freedom, worked hard, and helped to build this nation.”

Daniel Dailey reminded everyone of another anniversary.

“As we approach the United State’s Semiquincentennial, we are also reminded that our military forces and our nation were born together,” Dailey pointed out. “On June 14, this very day, in 1775, exactly 251 years ago, the United States Army was established, more than a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.”

Dailey spoke of those who signed the Declaration.

“They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to a bold idea: that a nation could be built on freedom, self government, and the belief that all people are created equal. That declaration was more than just words on a parchment; it was a promise. And tonight, 250 years later, we are the heirs of that promise.”

There were free hot dogs and ice tea for everyone, plus ice cream and lemonade. First responders and fire trucks ambulances, and other equipment on display.

Franklin Klock, from the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, Jim Thorpe, presented a program on the Eagle, bringing with him an Eagle from the center.

Because of the expected weather, the Joey and the T-Birds concert was rescheduled for 7 tonight in the park, followed by the fireworks, which will be set off from the ball field.