MACUNGIE, Pa. — Residents and local representatives saluted the sacrifices of those who died in service to the country during a morning observance at Macungie Memorial Park.
It included an emotional flag-raising and commemoration for Memorial Day.
Members of the Macungie Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9264 and its auxiliary organized the event. Guests included U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and Macungie Borough Council President Ron Karboski.
Also participating were members of the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society, Macungie Ambulance Corps and Lower Macungie Fire Department.
Attendees marched with and watched as local emergency workers and VFW members paraded to the park, guided by local police as a giant American flag flew overhead courtesy of a Lower Macungie Fire Department ladder truck.
"For us veterans and especially us combat veterans, it's just a little bit different, a little more personal."Thomas Applebach, director of the Lehigh County Office of Veterans Affairs
About 200 people paid homage at Macungie Memorial Park, where flowers and salutes were presented to the park's veterans memorial as the flag was flown at half-staff.
The event commemorated the 75th anniversary of the first community Memorial Day program held at the park, which was also the first program to be held at the then-new bandshell.
"I love coming here and watching what they do," said William Kehn, a Navy veteran and member of American Legion Post 576 in Allentown.
"And also to talk to the people that have served in all forces and talk to them and get their information."
The program was Macungie's first in five years because of COVID-19, and was brought back in large part to mark the park's anniversary.
Intended to be held at the bandshell, the threat of rain kept the program inside the Memorial Hall building.
Girl scouts read historical pieces like the Gettysburg Address and "In Flanders Fields," and patriotic song medleys were performed by members of the Eyer Middle School Band.
The keynote speaker was Lehigh County Office of Veterans Affairs Director Thomas Applebach, who also serves as commander of the Macungie Memorial VFW Post 9264.
He honored friends he knew lost during his 22 years of service in the Gulf War, the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.
"These are three of my brothers that I mourn because they represent all of our brothers and sisters across the years that we mourn on this day," Applebach said.
"For us veterans and especially us combat veterans, it's just a little bit different, a little more personal," he said of the holiday. "For our connection to Memorial Day is about brotherhood and the legacy, common purpose and common ground.
"And we do this every year for our war dead, for our comrades, for our brothers because we hold them up not as heroes — but as beloved and missed members of that strange, fragile brotherhood.
"We will always miss them because they were one of us."
Girl scouts read aloud the names of gold star veterans of the Macungie area: George D. Allen, Earl H.M. Butz, George F. Erbe, Michael C. Feninez, Martin C. Fritz, Charles L. Funk, Ray A. Horlacher, Clarence C. Sechler, Willlis H. Johnson, Peter Lazor, Richard H. Litzenberger, Stanley R. Litzenberger, Ashly L. Moyer, Norman R. Schantzenbach and Clifford R. Scholl Jr.
Local congressional candidates attend
Wild and Mackenzie — who coincidentally will square off in November to represent the Lehigh Valley in Congress — both were there as elected representatives.
Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, is in her third term in Congress; Mackenzie represents the Macungie area in the state Legislature and is challenging Wild for the U.S. House seat.
Wild reflected on her time growing up on different military bases, and thanked not just the veterans present, but their families for their support for what can be a difficult time.
She also reflected on the loss of her uncle during a firefight in Vietnam in 1969.
"I know that for many of you today, the honor of serving our nation in uniform intertwines with the loss and the heartache of remembering those who aren't here with us today," Wild said.
"I will never forget his services, sacrifice and the sacrifice of the family that served right alongside him."
Wild said those who are in positions of civilian leadership have a duty to pay through affirming the needs of veterans for things like quality medical care, housing and opportunities when they arrive back home.
Mackenzie, who won the Republican primary in April, reflected on the recent return of the remains of an Allentown soldier who died in a prison camp in the Phillippines during World War II, and the memory of his grandfather who was killed in 1943 while serving in the Army Air Forces.
"For more than 200 years, Americans have distinguished themselves on battlefields for freedom in places far from American soil," Mackenzie said. "Men and women representing every race, religion and creed of this diverse American melting pot have willingly donned an American military uniform and defended this country.
"We must never forget their service and sacrifice the enduring legacy of these brave souls who gave their full measure for all of us. Today we are gathered to continue that a proud tradition that has been observed in our country for the last 156 years."
A memorial service and refreshments followed the main program at the Macungie Veterans Association.
