Memorial Day is personal for first-year Palmerton Borough Police Chief Timothy Kromer.

Coming from a military family, Kromer lost his great-uncle during World War II combat operations in Sicily and his cousin via a military vehicle accident during Operation Desert Shield. But what really hit close to home was when his own platoon leader was killed after their lead vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while deployed to Afghanistan in May 2008.

“Memorial Day is a chance for me to remember and honor all of these men and the lives they sacrificed to ensure we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” Kromer, the guest speaker during Monday’s Memorial Day service in Palmerton, said. “However, I charge everyone here to not focus on the fact that we have lost them, but to honor their sacrifice by remembering how they lived, not how they died.”

Kromer served in and retired from the Pennsylvania National Guard after 21 years in 2018, while holding the rank of sergeant first class. He spent the majority of his service as an M1 armor crewman and tank commander.

“There are so many ways that we can honor the sacrifice of our deceased veterans and keep their memory alive,” Kromer told the crowd. “Visit their grave. Spend time with their family. Spend time at their favorite place. Play their music. Remember them as they would have wanted to be remembered. But most importantly, I ask that you never forget. Never forget their dedication to this country and their ultimate sacrifice. A nation that forgets to honor its heroes soon will have no heroes to honor.”

Monday’s parade and ceremony was organized by the Palmerton United Veterans Organization. UVO member Steve Vlossak reflected on the many local men and women who left their families behind to serve their country, but never returned home.

“We often hear about or make a comment when there’s a sporting event that an athlete gave their all in the game,” Vlossak said. “And that is commendable, but all the heroes that we are here to honor today gave so much more. The ‘all’ we remember today is their life. They gave their life for their fellow service members, for our country, and for our freedoms. That is why this is their day to be remembered and honored.”

Macie Borger, 7, of Girl Scout Brownie Troop 348, was named Miss Poppy 2022, and Logan Smale, 6, of Lion Cub Pack 209, was named Palmerton American Legion Mascot. The duo helped lead Monday’s crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A prayer was said for the victims of recent shootings at a Buffalo grocery store and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

“We don’t have a perfect nation,” state Rep. Doyle Heffley said. “I think we have the best nation and we continue to strive to become a better nation. We see some of the events that happen throughout our society and we wonder why men and women gave their lives for this country. I know that they didn’t die so that we could all agree. They died so we can peacefully disagree and live in freedom.”

Palmerton Mayor Donald Herrmann reflected back to his high school days at Father Judge in Philadelphia. At the private school, Herrmann said, Memorial Day was every day.

“For those of you on Facebook, you know I do not have a picture of myself, but instead I have a simple number 27,” Herrmann said. “The number 27 is the number of young men that died during the Vietnam War solely from Father Judge High School. We were taught as freshmen what the cost was with war and never to forget what the true cost of freedom is. Twenty-seven may be just a number to some, but to myself, it is a constant reminder of the sacrifice that our soldiers have made.”

Mitchell Hourt and Joe Plechavy, as well as the Palmerton Area High School Marching Band, provided Monday’s musical performances.

Palmerton Area High School senior Shannon Dougherty read “In Flanders Field.”