Summit Hill sure knows how to honor its veterans.

Despite a damp, dreary, chilly day, it didn’t mar the turnout of people for the annual Memorial Day service and parade.

Hundreds of people amassed in and around the Ludlow Street park for the annual service, then lined the route for the parade which featured five bands, scores of first responders and, of course, many veterans’ groups.

The grand marshal of the parade was lifelong resident Joseph “Mucker” Williams, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam where he was wounded twice. He earned four Bronze Stars and numerous other medals.

His daughter, Kim Guth, said of her father, “He loves this town deeply.”

Navy Commander

as main speaker

The main speaker at the service was Ret. U.S. Navy Commander Gary Evans, a Summit Hill native who now resides in Virginia.

After graduating from Panther Valley High School in 1974, Evans attended the U.S. Naval Academy, earning a bachelor of Science in oceanography. He completed flight training and earned his Wings of Gold as a naval flight officer.

Evans said that earlier in the day, “As I walked through the Grand Army Cemetery and St. Joseph’s in White Bear, one thing stood out: more than half of the graves were marked with American flags. Each flag represents a life lived with courage, a family forever changed, and a community that has always answered the call to serve.”

“But we gather today not to celebrate war,” he said. “We gather to honor peace — and the extraordinary cost at which it has been preserved. Memorial Day reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy were not handed to us. They were earned through the courage and sacrifice of those who wore our nation’s uniform.”

He urged, “May we teach our children the meaning of this day, so that remembrance never fades with time.”

The master of ceremonies was former Summit Hill Mayor Jeff Szczecina. He asked for prayers for Summit Hill Borough Council President David Wargo, who is battling a serious illness. Szczecina termed Wargo the “most dedicated person to Summit Hill.”

The mayor also purchased the first poppy from Poppy Queen Charlotte Basiago.

The three top-ranking students of Panther Valley High School participated in the program. They are, not necessarily in student ranking, Ava Alabovitz who read the Gettysburg Address, Gavin Yuricheck who presented Logan’s General Orders and Caroline Breslin who recited Flanders Field.

Gregory Miller, chaplain and past commander of Summit Hill Legion Post 316, gave the roll call of Summit Hill veterans deceased since last year. He read off 18 names.

Paul R. McArdle Jr., former mayor, presented the POW/MIA ceremony.

The welcome remarks were given by current mayor Karen Ruzicka.

Members of Post 316 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 316 comprised a firing squad. Panther Valley High School student Allison Garcia and Gino Williams played the bugle and drums.

The invocation and benediction were by the Rev. Ruth Ann Christopher of Hope of Christ Presbyterian Church.

Annual parade

Williams, 77, officially kicked off the parade by the ceremonial ringing of the old Summit Hill High School bell that is mounted in the park.

This was followed by the blowing of the Diligence Fire Company’s fire siren to set the marchers in motion.

First in the line was the color guard of the Summit Hill American Legion Post.

Williams rode in the parade in the front seat of a Jeep, which was followed by the Schuylkill-Carbon Unit of the Marine Corps League.

Then, members of the Diligence Fire Company and American Hose Company of Lansford combined for a 28-member marching unit.

More than a dozen pieces of fire apparatus from the fire departments in Summit Hill, Lansford and Coaldale followed.

Four high school bands took part in the march. They were from Panther Valley High School, Jim Thorpe High School, Pottsville High School and Shenandoah High School.

Another musical unit was the Harry Westcott Band, a sextet of brass musicians.

Scores of Little League Baseball and softball players were in the parade, some on floats and others marching.

There were several floats. The Knights of Columbus, Summit Hill Heritage Center, Stoney Lonesome Excavating, Priority One Real Estate and Grace Community Bible School were all represented with floats.

Vocalist and musician Dave Matsinko rode on the back of a truck singing selections along the parade route.

The threat of rain kept a few units scheduled to appear from coming to the parade, making it slightly shorter than previous years. But those attending seemed satisfied.

Rose Tomlin of Lansford said, “This is the first time I was here for the parade, but I heard so much about it. It’s really nice what the community does for Memorial Day. The people in this town must be proud.”

Flags are placed on the graves of soldiers for Memorial Day by members of the Lansford and Summit Hill American Legions. John Poko, a member of both Legions and of the Marine Corps League, said the two groups mounted a total of 2,462 flags at the cemeteries and the Legion Posts. Several non-members also assisted.