Summit Hill speaker says patriotism ‘strengthens us’
Summit Hill Mayor Paul McArdle gives the POW/MIA ceremony during the Memorial Day service on Monday in Ludlow Park, Summit Hill. In front of the podium are an empty table and other items symbolic of POWs. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Vince Suzadail Jr.,who served in the U.S. Naval Reserves, gave a brief history of Memorial Day at the service on Monday in Summit Hill.
The program, attended by several hundred people, was held in Ludlow Park by American Legion Post 316.
Suzadail said, “Decoration Day was first observed after the American Civil War and was renamed Memorial Day in 1971, a tradition observed for more than 150 years.”
He said, “Many Americans will visit cemeteries, decorate graves, watch parade and have family gatherings. I firmly believe that true patriotism and traditions strengthen us, not only in times of peace, but also in our darkest moments.”
“We saw this occur on Sept. 12, 2001, the day after the Islamic terror attack on the World Trade Center,” he said. “We became Americans without a descriptive adjective. We stood side by side, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Christians, Jews, atheists. We stood united. We stood proud. We stood with purpose.”
Suzadail said urged that people use Memorial Day as a day to put their difference aside “and come together as Americans.”
He said, “Our children need to know that we can rise above any challenge, any tragedy, any disaster if we carry the legacy of our fallen brothers and sisters with us.”
He offered a prayer “that God will guide our leaders to govern, not only with strength, but with understanding and compassion and with an insatiable thirst for justice and equality.”
Introduced was Walter Breiner, who served as the grand marshal of the borough’s four-division Memorial Day parade.
A roll call of deceased was given by Gregory Miller, chaplain and past commander of Legion Post 316
Panther Valley High School students Charles Byers, Thad Karnish and Andrea McArdle presented readings.
Mayor Paul R. McArdle Jr. conducted a POW/MIA ceremony. He spoke behind a small table adorned with various items symbolizing the life and agony of a captured soldier.
The Rev. Allan Hoffa of St. Joseph’s Church gave the invocation and benediction.
Members of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 316 gave the honor guard salute.
At the conclusion of the program, Breiner rang a large, brass bell which signaled the start of the annual Memorial Day parade.
