“Today we are sacrificing a small portion of our time to participate in this service as a small token of our appreciation, honor, and remembrance of the importance of each and every fallen solder, seaman, airman, and marine; because, today is their day. We will not let you be forgotten on this Memorial Day, the Day of the Fallen.”

Sgt. Dennis DiCarlo, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and the guest speaker at the 157th Tamaqua Memorial Day Service of Remembrance on Saturday, explained why we commemorate Memorial Day, said those words to honor those we lost in conflicts.

DiCarlo, 1988 graduate of the Tamaqua Area High School, is a veteran of United States Marine Corps, where he served seven years, and was deployed in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Desert Hope. He currently teaches physical education in the Panther Valley School District.

“Today is not about me; it’s about honoring the legacy of all those who served and paid the ultimate price, and were killed defending and representing our great nation,” DiCarlo said.

DiCarlo explained that the speech he was giving today, he actually wrote 35 years ago, when he was 20 years old and in the Marine Corps, stationed in a Saudi Arabian Desert, just a few days before the start of Operation Desert Storm.

He shared how he and several other Marines started talking about what they would want if they were not to return home.

“This is reflective of what our fallen brothers and sisters were similarly thinking before they embarked on their last mission,” DiCarlo said.

“One, I would have wanted a simple thank you ... Thank you to all our fallen brothers and sisters looking down upon us today.”

“Second, to be honored, respected, and not forgotten.”

“Third and final item on my list was for everyone back home to live a free patriotic American way.”

“I have a request from each and every person that can hear the sound of my voice. At some point today, I ask that you each take a moment, close your eyes, and simply say ‘Thank you’ to all the fallen service members that have fought and died for our country and our way of living.”

Before the service, the Memorial Day Parade was held, starting at 10 a.m. Marchers and vehicles started on East Broad Street, came through the borough along Route 209, ending just before the Odd Fellows Cemetery. The grand marshal was Sgt. Kevin Steigerwalt, a 12-year veteran of the United States Army Reserve, and the Tamaqua borough manager.

The Service of Remembrance was held by the Soldier’s Circle in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Master of Ceremonies was Matthew Zizelmann. The Zizelmann family has been hosting the program for three generation starting with John Zizelmann, his son Eric, and Eric’s son Matthew.

Zizelmann introduced Grand Marshal Steigerwalt, and Poppy Queen Isabel Swartz, daughter of Kimberly and Ray Swartz.

Each year at the service, a relative of a soldier killed in action leads the crowd in the recitation of the American Creed. This year, Allen Keich, owner of the former Keich Motors of Tamaqua, led the creed in honor of his Great Uncle Frank Keich, who was killed at the age of 22 in France during World War I.

Matthew Zizelmann introduced Allen Keich. “We hold this service so that the very people who have lost so much to armed conflict can continue to embrace and extol the virtues of the United States of America,” Zizelmann explained. “It’s for this reason that every year we ask a relative of one of Tamaqua’s war dead to participate in our annual Service of Remembrance by leading us in the recitation of the American Creed.”

Keich said, “My Great Uncle Frank Keich was 22 years old when he became the 6th Tamaqua casualty of World War I. Before he left to go overseas, he gave his watch to his brother to keep for him until he came home. He was killed in France on July 18, 1918, and is buried there in one of the battle monuments. To this day, my family reveres his memory and take pride in his dedication to the United States of America.”

Deacon John Matulevich, who serves as deacon at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Clair, and Holy Cross Parish, New Philadelphia, offered the invocation and the benediction.

Canton Allentown #39 Patriarch’s Militant along with members of the C.H. Barry American Legion Post 173, Tamaqua, provided military honors, including color guard and rifle salutes.

The Tamaqua Area Raider Marching Band provided the National Anthem and other patriotic songs during the program.

Dennis Krell, Tamaqua Class of 2025, read “A Voice from Tamaqua’s War Dead,” honoring Robert Henry Reichelderfer, who died at the age of 21 years during World War II while stationed in Italy as a member of the Air Corps Cadets.

Kevin Steigerwalt and Tamaqua Mayor Nathan Gerace placed a wreath at the Soldiers’ monument in their honor.

Zizelmann also offered thanks to the Lady Harmony Rebekah Lodge 86 and Odd Fellows Harmony Lodge 86 for their help in preparing the cemetery and the service.