Although stifling heat and humidity made being outside uncomfortable Sunday, a large crowd assembled at Union Cemetery of Hellertown for the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397’s Memorial Day Service.
Although stifling heat and humidity made being outside uncomfortable Sunday, a large crowd assembled at Union Cemetery of Hellertown for the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397’s Memorial Day Service. In addition to service members who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice, veterans from all service branches were honored and turned out in considerable numbers.
The service was led by Legion Commander Geoff Baer and the speaker was Jim Erdman, with Hellertown Mayor Richard Fluck providing opening remarks and several students reading texts: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (Sean Walshe), In Flanders Field (Ava Schneider) and America’s Answer (Brianna Baer).
Members of the Saucon Valley High School Band performed patriotic music and a bagpiper played before the audience of more than 100.
The service concluded with the placement of floral wreaths on the memorial at the cemetery, a salute by the Legion firing squad commanded by John Mulholland, “Taps” performed by bugler Dan Dysher and a benediction read by Post 397 Chaplain Robert Edwards.
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Jen Lerch sang the national anthem.
Members of the Saucon Valley High School band perform at the Memorial Day service Sunday.
American Legion Post 397 Chaplain Robert Edwards delivers the invocation at the Memorial Day service.
Jen Lerch sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the service.
A symbolically empty chair is placed in front of the stage in tribute to the thousands of American service members who never came home and have never been accounted for.
Hellertown American Legion Post 397 Commander Geoff Baer welcomes attendees to the Legion’s Memorial Day Service.
Hellertown Mayor Richard Fluck delivers opening remarks at the Memorial Day service.
Sean Walshe, a student at St. Theresa School in Hellertown, reads Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Brianna Baer recites “America’s Answer.”
Jim Erdman was the speaker for the service. He reminded attendees to treat every day as Memorial Day, and quietly pay tribute to those who have served our country whenever they pass an American flag.
Member of the Post 397 Ladies Auxiliary place floral wreaths at the memorial in Union Cemetery of Hellertown.
The Legion firing squad is commanded by John Mulholland. Its members include Geoff Baer, William Sysak, Francis Weiss, Regina Fleissner, Jason Schaffer, Jack Davco, Glenn Quier, John Higginbotham and Dave Pearson. Pictured: The squad fires a salute during the Memorial Day service Sunday.
The Legion’s Memorial Day service was an opportunity to pay tribute to all local veterans, many of whom proudly war insignia representing the wars they fought in.
Memorial Day Service attendees watch as the Legion Firing Squad fires a salute.
Bugler Dan Dysher performs “Taps.”
A Se-Wy-Co Fire Co. ladder truck displays an American flag high above the entrance to the cemetery, where the motorcycles of the Legion Riders were parked neatly in a row.
The Memorial Day service was an opportunity for many attendees to catch up with old friends and fellow veterans.
Josh Popichak is a veteran local journalist with an extensive background in print and digital news. A Bethlehem native, he has a Bachelor’s degree in history and has maintained a lifelong affinity for the subject. He founded Saucon Source to fill a need for independent local journalism, which has thrived with the support of an engaged, enthusiastic readership. He thanks the community, whose continued support makes this site possible.
