The American soldier is what paved the way for our freedom and success as a country.

So were the words of Jim Christman, of Palmerton, who spoke during services held in the Palmerton Memorial Park on Monday.The services followed the annual Memorial Day Parade in Palmerton.Christman, a broker with Keller-Williams Real Estate, said the real heroes are those who serve to protect our country."Combat or not, every serving man and woman is a hero because they committed to protecting our freedom," Christman said.Christman then spoke of the will of our great fighting men and women."Without their contribution, we would have ceased to be the USA a long time ago," he said. "Our citizens would have been revoked by another invading nation."Sponsored by the Palmerton United Veteran's Organization - American Legion Post 269, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7134 - the parade formed at Second Street and Delaware Avenue.Local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, fire companies, emergency services, and the Palmerton Booster Club, were among the parade participants. Ashley Stetler, 8, a third-grader who is home-schooled, served as Miss Poppy. She is the daughter of David and Tammy Stetler of Palmerton. The Legion Mascot was Kameron Behler, 7, a second-grader at S.S. Palmer Elementary. He is the son of Jason and Michelle Behler of Palmerton. The color guard included members of Palmerton UVO.As part of the parade, the veterans stopped at the Veterans Memorial in the borough park, as well as the monument in front of borough hall, to place wreaths in honor of all veterans, both living, and dead.Services were held immediately after the parade in the borough park.Steve Vlossak, U.S. Army, Vietnam veteran, was the other guest speaker.