Lehighton UVO announces Memorial Day services

The Lehighton United Veterans Organization will conduct services over the weekend in observance of Memorial Day.

Rural services Sunday will begin the events, while both Lehighton and Weissport will hold services on Monday.

“During this weekend, it is my hope that you take time to reflect upon the sacrifices of our men and women who answered our nation’s call and ultimately paid with their lives,” Commander Kevin Long said. “Today and always, may we never forget the sacrifices that have been made for our freedoms that we so much enjoy.”

In case of rain, services will be held in Weissport at Jacob’s United Church of Christ, and in Lehighton at Zion United Church of Christ.

Citizens and school children attending services are requested to bring flowers to spread on the graves of the soldiers. At the cemeteries, flags will be given to all children.

Military honors will be given at each location by Lehighton UVO. In the event of rain, services will be moved indoors at the cemetery locations.

Sunday

West Group

• 8:40 a.m.: Depart American Legion Post No. 314.

• 9 a.m.: Service at St. John’s Church Cemetery, Mahoning Township; prayers by UVO Chaplain John Stefanik; speaker will be Julie Hiester, junior at Lehighton Area High School; singing by St. John’s Church Sunday school. In the event of rain, service will be held in St. John’s Church.

• 9:45 a.m.: Military honors at Zimmerman’s Cemetery/Mahoning Veterans’ Memorial/Peter Nothstein grave site at Normal Square (en route to Ben Salem Church).

• 10:15 a.m.: Service at Ben Salem Church Cemetery, East Penn Township; prayers by UVO Chaplain John Stefanik; speaker will be Nate Lucykanish, senior at Lehighton Area High School.

• 11 a.m.: Military honors at Dinkey Memorial Church Cemetery, Ashfield; prayers by UVO Chaplain John Stefanik; wreath laying.

• 11:45 a.m.: Service at Packerton Cemetery; prayers by UVO Chaplain John Stefanik; speaker will be Michael Bongiorno, senior at Lehighton Area High School.

• 12:30 p.m.: Packerton Veterans’ Memorial at Zion Lutheran Church, Packerton; military honors Lehighton UVO. In the event of rain, service will be held in Zion Lutheran, Packerton.

East Group

• 8:45 a.m.: Depart American Legion Post No. 314.

• 9 a.m.: Parryville Cemetery, military honors Lehighton UVO.

• 9:15 a.m.: Bunker Hill/Jewish Cemetery, East Weissport.

• 9:30 a.m.: Long Run Cemetery; prayers by American Legion Post No. 314 Chaplain Carl Haydt; singing by Long Run Church Sunday school; speaker will be Tate Koch, senior at Lehighton Area High School. In the event of rain, service will be held in Long Run Church of the Brethren.

• 10:15 a.m.: Service at St. Paul’s Big Creek Cemetery, Franklin Township; prayers by American Legion Post No. 314 Chaplain Carl Haydt; singing by Long Run Church Sunday school; speaker will be Emily Haberman, senior at Lehighton Area High School; military honors, Lehighton UVO. In the event of rain, service will be held in Big Creek Church.

• 11 a.m.: Service at Franklin Heights Cemetery, prayers — American Legion Post No. 314, Chaplain Carl Haydt; speaker will be Sydney Vincent, junior at Lehighton Area High School; military honors, Lehighton UVO

• 11:15 a.m.: Military honors at St. Matthew’s Cemetery, North Weissport; military honors Lehighton UVO.

Monday

Veterans groups will be divided into two sections, with services/honors being held in Weissport and Lehighton simultaneously.

Group “A”

• 8:40 a.m.: Depart American Legion Post 314.

• 8:45 a.m.: World War II/Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Monument at Lehighton Veterans Memorial Park (bypass).

• 8:55 a.m.: Col. Weiss Monument (lower park).

• 9:15 a.m.: Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital Veterans Monument.

• 9:30 a.m.: SS. Peter & Paul RC Church Cemetery.

• 9:45 a.m.: Vietnam/PFC Clyde Houser Monument at Lehighton Borough Annex Building.

• 10 a.m.: Firemen’s Memorial at upper park.

Group “B”

• 8:40 a.m.: Depart American Legion Post 314.

• 9 a.m.: Benjamin Franklin Monument and WWI Veterans Monument in Weissport Park.

• 9:15 a.m.: Service at Union Hill Cemetery; prayers by Carl Haydt, Post No. 314 chaplain; speaker will be Ron Rabenold, Lehighton historian and educator at Lehighton Area High School; military honors Lehighton UVO.

• 10 a.m.: Wreath tossing from Weissport Bridge to honor those veterans buried or lost at sea, military honors by Lehighton UVO.

• 10:30 a.m.: Both veterans groups (A & B) will convene in the upper Lehighton Park Amphitheater for the main service; Invocation by UVO chaplain John Stefanik; Benediction by Carl Haydt, Post No. 314 chaplain; Kevin “Spike” Long, commander, will be in charge of the service; greetings by Mayor Clark Ritter; retired Maj Randy Fritz, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, will be speaker. After the main service, those who are able will form up on North Third Street, and along with area Scout troops, Lehighton Area Middle School Never Forget Club, students, select musicians will proceed to Lehighton Cemetery, where military honors will be rendered. Immediately afterward, the group will form up and proceed to American Legion Post 314 for the flag raising ceremony and conclusion of Memorial Day Services/honors.