COAL TOWNSHIP - The annual Memorial Day March, which will be held at 7 a.m. Monday, May 27, is being organized by the Joint Area Veterans Organizations, the Shamokin and Coal Township fire departments and the Shamokin and Coal Township police departments. The public is invited to attend and show their patriotism on this important day to honor all deceased veterans and those who made the supreme sacrifice for their country.
Participants are asked to meet at 8 a.m. at the start of the march near the playground on Arch and Locust streets in Coal Township.
It will continue down Arch Street to Cliff Street and will stop at the Timothy Diorio Memorial.
The march will then move to Second Street to Walnut Street and then to Sixth Street, and from there, to Independence Street, where it will stop again at the Cpl. David Witmer Memorial.
The march will continue to Market Street and stop at the Fireman's Memorial.
It will continue on Market Street to Lincoln Street and end at the Veterans' Price of Freedom Memorial. Taps will be played at this location.
A wreath-laying laying ceremony and brief service will be held at each of the four stops along the march route.
This year's march will remember Ralph Starr and Col. Ben Purcel, U.S. Army, the highest ranking POW, U.S. Army officer during the Vietnam War who passed away last month at 85.
Any person or organization who would like to participate in the march is welcome. The public is invited to walk along as well or meet at the end for the service.
The chairman of the march is John M. Schenewerk, post commander of the Coal Township VFW Post 317. Committee members include Chris Christian, of Shamokin American Legion Post 73, Sandra Schenewerk and John and Angie Arnold of the Citizens for a Better Community.
