LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — All across Lehigh County, hundreds gathered to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice this 159th Memorial Day.
From a walk of remembrance in Upper Saucon, to visiting the graves of veterans in Salisbury, and braving the rain in Macungie, folks honored those who served and gave their lives for our freedom.
Eric Bartosz, an Upper Saucon firefighter and organizer of the Memorial Day 2-mile walk/bike/run told us the event is in its 12th year and last year, brought in 500 people to Upper Saucon Park.
“First and foremost, we recognize the family whose son paid the ultimate price. In this case, it’s SPC Derek Holland, and we honor their memory and their service. The second mission we have every Memorial Day is to really remind people, especially young people, that Memorial Day is not just all about firing up the grill and jumping in the pool. It’s really about paying tribute and remembering the soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our country,” Bartosz stated.
Meanwhile in Salisbury, a ceremony took place that’s almost as old as Memorial Day itself.
“We have been doing Memorial Day here since 1889. It’s wonderful to see all of the people come of course, to remember and to be part of this longstanding tradition,” said Joshua Fink, chairman of Jerusalem Western Salisbury’s Memorial Day Committee.
The event was held at the Veterans monument at Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, on the cemeteries and in the church grove.
“We have over 400 veterans buried here, six of them have the supreme sacrifice,” Fink said.
In Macungie, a special service was held at the ‘All Gave Some–Some Gave All’ memorial at Macungie Memorial Park, as folks braved the weather for a moment of remembrance.