Residents of several local communities gathered Memorial Day to honor men and women of the armed forces who have made the supreme sacrifice.
Memorial Day activities began Monday Morning at Geist Berkanski American Legion Post 91, Avenue and Maple Street, Mount Carmel, where wreaths were placed at a memorial that honors those who gave their lives in the service of their country. The flag was lowered to half-staff while trumpeters Ashley Donn and Brandon Ashbaugh played "Taps." A gun salute was also part of the ceremony.
Participants then traveled to memorials at the northeast corner of Oak and Second streets, where a ceremony of similar fashion was held. The Mount Carmel Area High School Band played patriotic music and the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Following the ceremony, veterans were honored with a parade that traveled within the borough. Participants included the band, and Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 178 and Boy Scout Troop 3178, both of Mount Carmel, who carried American flags.
Mount Carmel Area students Alyssa Bielski, Klye Price and Chris Stellar took turns performing "Taps" at other ceremonies, including St. Mary's Cemetery in Beaverdale, Mount Carmel Cemetery and St. Joseph Cemetery in Locust Gap.
Kulpmont
A parade down Chestnut Street in Kulpmont honored veterans and servicemembers. The parade lineup included veterans, the high school band and dozens of softball and baseball players from the Kulpmont Football and Baseball Association, who waved flags to people watching from homes and sidewalks.
The parade ended on Spruce Street at Roosevelt Court, where a service of tribute was held near monuments honoring veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War, World War I and World War II.
The band performed the "Star-Spangled Banner," and an American flag was raised. Veteran Jerry Buchinski then played "Taps" on the bugle. Members of American Legion Post 231, Kulpmont, also fired a gun salute.
Mayor Myron Turlis remarks centered around the origin of Memorial Day, which is believed to have its beginnings in Waterloo, N.Y., in 1886. He also commented on the sacrifices veterans, servicemembers and their families have made for their country.
"They are ordinary people in extraordinary times who served our country. We are here today to honor service members," he said of veterans and servicemembers. "We are here today to honor our heroes."