Tamaqua Remembers hosts kick off on Tuesday

The plans have been set for a month long series of events leading up to Tamaqua’s 150th observance of Memorial Day. Now it’s up to the community and Mother Nature.

After months of planning and raising funds, the Tamaqua Remembers Committee is ready to see those plans come to life with a kick off event, “A Night of Honors,” on Tuesday.

The activities will be held in the area of the Tamaqua American Legion, West Broad and Nescopec streets, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with an informational program on the American Bald Eagle by the Carbon County Environmental Education Center. “Rennie” the eagle will be available for photos.

The month long series of events will officially start at 7 p.m. with the renaming of one block of Nescopec Street and the unveiling of a mural currently being created by Tamaqua artist Kevin Smith. The invocation and benediction will be provided by U.S. Army (Ret.) Chaplain Col. Hank Steinhilber. Guest speaker is U.S. Navy (Ret.) Chaplain Capt. John H. Lea III.

Music will be provided by the Italian American Band of the Lehigh Valley.

A special tribute will be made to the 91 Tamaqua veterans who gave their lives during America’s times of war. Color guards will be provided by the Tamaqua Legion and the U.S. Army’s 109th Field Artillery unit.

For the second week of May, volunteer organizers scheduled a talk on the human cost of war, presented by Dr. Tracy Fisher, an expert on what happened to deceased veterans during World War I. The talk will be held at the Flat Iron Building, 101 E. Broad St., beginning at 7 p.m. on May 7. A light reception will follow. There is no fee to attend.

On May 9, weather permitting, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows will conduct guided walking tours of Odd Fellows Cemetery. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., and leaving every 15 minutes, each tour will include unique stories about several of the veterans buried there, including Purple Heart recipients and a Revolutionary War veteran. The history behind Soldier’s Circle will also be revealed. Rain date will be May 10.

An old time radio show will be presented at 7 p.m. May 12, at the Tamaqua Community Art Center. Spirit of the Airwaves Players will perform skits from several of the old favorites, including Little Orphan Annie, The Lone Ranger and The Shadow.

There is a $10 admission fee.

The Third Brigade Band of Pottsville will perform a free concert at 7 p.m., May 15, at the East End Park on Mountain Avenue. Free refreshments will be available. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Veteran’s Appreciation Night at the Tamaqua Station Restaurant will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 17. Veterans and their families will be eligible for a 10 percent discount. During the evening hours, the Jolly Tars will provide musical entertainment, featuring 19th century maritime and Americana music.

The Tamaqua Historical Society will hold an opening night for a special military themed exhibit on May 19. The exhibit will feature military uniforms, flags, documents and photographs that connect Tamaqua with each of America’s military actions. The reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. and will include free refreshments.

Author and military strategist Ralph Peters will talk about the human reality of the Civil War on May 21. Peters will be at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St., at 7 p.m. After serving 22 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Peters has authored 33 books and over 1,000 articles, essays and reviews on America’s conflicts. Several of his books on the Civil War have won literary awards.

There is a $5 entry fee for Peters’ lecture.

Matthew Dodd was visiting one of America’s Civil War National Parks when he conceived the idea of dressing in period clothing and singing songs from the Civil War era. He will perform twice in Tamaqua on May 22, at the Tamaqua Area Adult Day Care Center and at the Tamaqua Public Library. The show at the library will coincide with the 10 a.m. story time session. It will be open to the public.

The Cressona Band will perform at 7 p.m. on May 23, on the platform at the Tamaqua Train Station. The concert is free and open to the public.

May 26, there will be a fireworks display beginning at 9:15 p.m. The rockets will glare over Tamaqua’s south east end of town, making Depot Square Park a prime viewing spot. Rain date will be May 27.

The annual Firefighters Memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m., May 27, at New Life Assembly of God Church, 407 Schuylkill Ave.

The month will wrap up with the annual Memorial Day Parade and Service on May 28. The parade will form in the east end of town. The line of march will step off at 10 a.m., with Kaye Leiby as Grand Marshal, and travel west to Odd Fellows Cemetery for the service. U.S. Air Force Col. Curtis Hafer will be the guest speaker for the cemetery service.

The parade will only be canceled in the event of thunder and lightening, while the service will be relocated to the Tamaqua Area School District Auditorium if it rains.

Memorial Day will also see a National Moment of Remembrance in honor of the 150th anniversary of the national holiday. At 3 p.m., when most are enjoying the benefits of a day off from work, Congress hopes all Americans will take a moment or two to reflect on those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so others may continue to enjoy freedom. A solitary bell at Trinity United Church of Christ will toll 91 times in honor of Tamaqua’s war dead.