Latest news with #GettysburgAddress
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Meadville residents commemorate Memorial Day with parade, ceremony
Meadville commemorated Memorial Day with a parade and observance ceremony, honoring those who have died fighting for the nation's freedom. The parade moved through downtown Meadville, with crowds cheering and waving American flags. It culminated in Diamond Park, where the mood shifted to a solemn observance ceremony. Erie families celebrate Memorial Day remembering loved ones 'It means everything. It means our veterans going overseas and sacrificing everything for this nation for the freedom of this nation,' said Gerald Fronce, a Meadville resident and military veteran. Harold Beerbower, a Korean War veteran and former prisoner of war, shared his experience: 'I was a prisoner of war for 28 months over at Korea when I was 19 years old.' Phil Davis, Commander of Post 52 Vietnam Veterans, emphasized the importance of Memorial Day: 'Well if it wasn't for our military we would not be able to live the way we do as a free country, as a free nation, as free people to go to school the way we go to school and go to church the way we go to church.' The ceremony featured a salute to the flag, patriotic music, a reading of the Gettysburg Address, rifle salutes, and the playing of Taps. Girard community honors veterans at annual Memorial Day parade Phil Davis remarked on the significance of the flags seen in cemeteries: 'So when you go past a cemetery and you see all the flags flying, that is why we are here today.' The Memorial Day events in Meadville served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to preserve the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
GAR War Memorial Assocation hold reenactment, ceremony
DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Several ceremonies honoring fallen soldiers are taking place across NEPA. One of Memorial Day's longest-standing traditions began Monday morning in Dunmore. The GAR War Memorial Association held a dedication day reenactment and ceremony at Dunmore Cemetery. Dozens dressed in historic war era garb, and there was even an accordion player. Victim identified in fatal Lackawanna County crash The event also featured a reading of the Gettysburg Address, and children got the chance to decorate the graves of fallen service members. 'I take it for granted. We don't see people you know on a daily basis with them, so it's important to at least take a day out of our lives and remember them,' Robert Baker, vice president of the GAR Memorial Association, said. The services were held under the direction of Sons of Union Veterans Camp 8 and Auxiliary 10. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds attend Memorial Day parades across the Southern Tier
ENDICOTT, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – The largest post-COVID Memorial Day crowd in Endicott lined Washington Ave today to honor our nation's veterans. Endicott held its annual Memorial Day parade on Washington Ave today, prior to hosting a ceremony at the Endicott War Memorial. The parade featured local veterans' groups, the Union-Endicott High School marching band, emergency services, civic organizations, dignitaries, and a host of other community participants. After the precession, spectators gathered for a memorial service to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Chaplain Dennis Nota explains the importance of observing the federal holiday. 'Today, we stand to remember the most honorable amongst us, and we must continue to carry the burden of their sacrifice. Lest we lose sight of what true freedom is. Today is for remembering, to stand in honor of them, walk in their path of duty, remember the cost, and hold in your heart the cost of freedom,' said Chaplain Nota during his benediction. The ceremony included a reading of the Gettysburg Address, a performance of Amazing Grace by the Edward P. Maloney Memorial Pipe Band, and the playing of TAPS by a Marine. Anny Hogan Camp, the Post Commander for VFW Post 1449, announced that the out-of-commission mailbox at the memorial is finding new use as a U.S. flag retirement box. In addition to the holiday, the day marks the opening of the Villages carousel and pool at George W. Johnson Memorial Park. Two hours later, the City of Binghamton hosted its Memorial Day Parade. The procession kicked off at the American Legion Post 80 on Main Street and continued to the Broome Country Courthouse. A plethora of groups participated today, including the Binghamton Police and Fire Department, New York State Police, Broome County Sheriff's office, the Rumble Ponies, the Triple Cities Choppers, and perhaps the longest and flashiest of the day, the Twin Tiers Mustang Club. Broome County Clerk Joeseph Mihalko emceed the event, which included providing commentary and introducing the organizations to spectators. As the story goes, Memorial Day was first observed in Waterloo, New York, in 1866. It was originally known as 'Decoration Day.' The holiday was created to honor those who gave their lives in the Civil War. Binghamton adopted the tradition three years later, and in the years following, New York State was the first in the nation to make it a holiday in 1874. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Elgin community honors Memorial Day with multiple ceremonies
ELGIN, Ill. — Community members gather in Elgin on Monday to commemorate Memorial Day. Several events were held throughout the morning, organized by The Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association. The day began with a ceremony at Mount Hope Cemetery. There was also a service to honor those buried at Lakewood Memorial Park. A program conducted by the Elgin Navy Club and the Elgin Marine Corps League was held at Veterans Memorial Park and honored veterans interred at sea. More: 10th annual South Side Memorial Day Parade in Auburn Gresham neighborhood Students also continued the tradition of reading the Gettysburg Address and General John Logan's Orders at a program held at Bluff City Cemetery. The program paid tribute to the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and all those who gave their lives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
7 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
‘It's honoring those who gave all': Chesterton commemorates Memorial Day
Don Pratt reported for duty as he always does every Memorial Day as a member of the Honor Guard for American Legion Post 170 in Chesterton. Pratt's job is to hold the American flag upright. He has made one concession in that he brings a chair with him nowadays. After all, he is 92 years old. This was the 46th year in a row he has come to the Chesterton Cemetery, where the Legion holds its annual Memorial Day event. American Legion Commander Daryl Peterson pointed out how Pratt was faithfully there again to the 100 people who gathered around the flagpole Monday morning under brilliant sunny, blue skies. Pratt deflects the attention away from himself. The Chesterton native served in the Army during the 1950s and says he was 'too young for Korea and too old for Vietnam.' Among the gravestones that stretch out at Chesterton Cemetery are those who served in or were casualties of American wars past. Allan Alliss recently moved from Chesterton to Leesburg, Fla. Since he was in town, Alliss put on his Vietnam Veteran hat and made his way over to the Chesterton Cemetery. 'To honor those who served, who gave everything there was to give,' Alliss said in explaining why he was compelled to come. Alliss served with the Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. He worked in the office in the support of an air unit. As he stood in Chesterton Cemetery, Alliss thought of the one pilot from his unit who didn't return home. 'Not only on days like today, but throughout my life I've thought about him,' Alliss said. Not far from where Alliss stood, George Kelchak, 98, of Chesterton was there in a wheelchair. Kelchak wore a hat for the 88th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army with whom he proudly served in Yugoslavia during World War II. 'What brings me out is to celebrate Memorial Day. I look forward to it every year,' Kelchak said. Tony Reales, 64, had his homemade walking stick with him when he attended the Memorial Day ceremony at St. Patrick's Cemetery, which immediately preceded the event at the Chesterton Cemetery. On his walking stick are stones shaped as hearts, representing his wife and two daughters who are deceased. Reales was in the U.S. Navy for 8 years and was on a ship in the Indian Ocean during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. 'Memorial Day is very meaningful to me because it's honoring those who literally gave all for our freedom,' Reales said. Reales said he instructs people not to wish him a happy Memorial Day. 'It's not a celebration. It's honoring those who gave all.' Chesterton High School history teacher Bob DeRuntz, the keynote speaker, extemporaneously delivered an eloquent meditation on the importance of Memorial Day. DeRuntz started with Abraham Lincoln and the dilemma he faced in deciding what to say with the Gettysburg Address in 1863. 'There was nothing he could say. What could he possibly say that could equal the sacrifice that those men had made?' DeRuntz said. Lincoln flipped the script, in that he made the speech about how the people present, and in the nation, needed to dedicate themselves to finishing the war. U.S. General John Logan in 1868 was the one who decreed that there would be Decoration Day – which became Memorial Day – to honor the war dead. 'We meet here still to this day, on this day to remember the sacrifice made for those who have given their lives in defense of our nation,' DeRuntz said. DeRuntz then described the cemetery in Normandy, France, where thousands of American soldiers lost their lives during the D-Day invasion that turned the tide in the European Theater of World War II. Then, DeRuntz painted a word picture of the scene at Arlington Cemetery, where he told of how the honor guard is constantly on duty at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The president of the United States on occasion has advised the honor guard during hurricanes and blizzards, the Unknown Soldier honor guard duty could be suspended. 'On each and every occasion, they (the honor guard) respond, with all due respect Mr. President, we will not stand down,' DeRuntz said. 'How we choose to honor those who have given their last full measure of devotion, in devotion to our nation, it matters.'
