The American Legion Unit 927 in Gilbert was bursting with veterans, families and local residents on Memorial Day. They all waited outside and conversed together, listening to the dull hum of cars passing by on Route 209 before the start of the ceremony. Many wore veteran hats, while some wore immaculate uniforms with medallions pinned above their hearts. Once the doors opened and everyone sat down, they sang the national anthem together, signifying the reason they were here.

“Memorial Day is a time to remember that the American way of life is not cheap,” Chaplain Joyce Castillo said. “That rather has been purchased by the lives in blood of so many who have sacrificed for us, to live free and happily now.” Castillo continued to recite a poem, honoring the ones that sacrificed their lives for their country.

The event was attended by local politicians as well. Taylor Munoz, state Sen. Mario Scavello’s chief of staff, and state Rep. Jack Rader spoke during the ceremony. Rader called attention to a World War I uniform that the Legion showcased. He said that it reminded him of his uncle who fought in the war. His uncle had trouble breathing due to a mustard gas attack. This was something that affected his uncle for the rest of his life. Rader joked that this story showed his age, so he proceeded to draw attention to the ceremony.

“Let me ask you the question that each and every one of these men and women was prepared to answer,” Rader said. “What are you willing to die for? Who would you be willing to die to protect? What cause is so important that you would be willing to sacrifice your life?”

The ceremony moved on to the tolling of the bell, recognizing the ones lost since last Memorial Day. Chaplain Wanda Murphy-Smith rang the bell after every name. Once all the names were announced, Smith finished the inside part of the ceremony with prayer. Her prayer focused on the families who have lost loved ones over the years.

“Thank you, Lord, for not letting their hearts get hardened, for keeping their hearts soft,” Smith said.

Once the attendees congregated outside, veterans shot rifles toward the sky. Then a bugler played a somber song. West End Boy Scouts helped raise the American flag to end the ceremony. Everybody in the Legion building joined together for food and drinks afterward. Many were eager to share more of their thoughts.

“I come from many generations of people who have served in the military,” Patricia Froncek, Legion Auxiliary president, said. “I have five brothers that were in each of the wars. All of them were also very patriotic. This means a lot to me because of what it represents: Those that have gone before us. Those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Everett Shaver, President of the American Legion Riders Post 927, mentioned his fellow Riders in Washington, D.C., attending Rolling Thunder. This is an event where American Legion Riders all over the country ride together during Memorial Day. He said that Post 927 is one of biggest Rider groups in northeast Pennsylvania.

Glen Lippincott, a Legion member, also had a relative in World War I. The uniform that Rader mentioned before belonged to his great-uncle. Lippincott explained the impact of that war, quoting Gen. George S. Patton, “All real Americans love the sting of battle.” He thought that America became the protectors of democracy after World War I. The ceremony was bittersweet for him as he referred to the tolling of the bells.

“The first name that they read off was Steven Glen Lippincott, which is my son, who was a Desert Storm veteran.” His son died after a complication from a heart ablation surgery two weeks ago.

“He was proud of having served, and I was proud of him,” he said.