The weather Sunday afternoon was hot and sunny, and may have helped draw a larger-than-normal crowd to the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397’s Memorial Day ceremony in Hellertown’s Union Cemetery.
Over 100 people attended Sunday’s Memorial Day service in Hellertown’s Union Cemetery, during which Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397 Commander Eric Medei exhorted them to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women who have defended the United States and the freedoms its citizens enjoy, at a time when many other things compete for people’s attention.
Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397 Commander Eric Medei speaks during Sunday’s Memorial Day service in Hellertown’s Union Cemetery.
“Let us not forget that freedom is not free,” said Medei, who leads the annual ceremony hosted by the local Legion post.
To help illustrate the sacrifices so many have made in defense of the United States, he shared the stories of U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor winners such as Lt. Michael P. Murphy. Murphy was a U.S. Navy SEAL officer who served in the War in Afghanistan, where he was killed by Taliban forces in June 2005. In addition to heroes like Murphy who have died during the War on Terror, Medei also highlighted the heroic actions of members of the U.S. Armed Forces in Somalia, Vietnam, Korea and during World War II, including John Basilone, a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal and was killed during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.
Basilone, Murphy and others who have given their lives in “selfless acts of bravery and devotion to duty” have made “our nation as great as it is today,” Medei said.
It is because of their actions that Americans are able to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend, which is the unofficial start of the summer season.
Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman also spoke at Sunday’s service, and also urged attendees not to forget who has made our freedom possible.
“The legacy of our fallen heroes live in each of us,” he said. “The work of honoring our fallen heroes is not yet done.”
Other highlights of the event included a roll call of names of local Legionnaires who have died over the past year and the recognition of two senior veterans who were in attendance: Korean War veteran “Red” Rodenbach and World War II veteran Al Groegler, who at 101 is likely one of the oldest veterans in the local area.
World War II veteran Al Groegler of Hellertown is thanked by an attendee at Sunday’s Memorial Day service in Hellertown. Groegler, 101, was recognized for his service to the country and the Legion.
Groegler served in the Battle of Anzio in Italy, which ended with the liberation of Rome in 1944. The battle cost the lives of approximately 24,000 Americans as well as 10,000 British soldiers.
After the ceremony ended, a small line formed in front of him, as other attendees sought to thank him. Groegler–a former Bethlehem Steel worker who lived in Hellertown’s Mountainview neighborhood for many years before moving into an assisted living facility–appeared delighted at the recognition, which included handshakes and expressions of gratitude for his service to the country.
Medei also publicly thanked Hellertown resident Kerry Kemmerer for recently restoring the memorial stone war monuments in front of the flagpole at the entrance to Union Cemetery, which had become discolored and difficult to read over the years.
Legion Post 397 Chaplain Dave Pearson delivered an invocation and benediction during the ceremony, and Ladies Auxiliary President Connie Quier read several patriotic selections, including the Gettysburg Address, In Flanders Field and America’s Answer. The members of the Ladies Auxiliary also placed floral wreaths on the war monuments.
The Hellertown-Lower Saucon Community Chorus provided choral music for the ceremony.
For more information about Hellertown’s Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397, visit their website–HellertownLegion.org–and follow them on Facebook.
Sunday’s Memorial Day service was held at the Union Cemetery bandshell. It featured a color guard, an honor guard, a bugler who performed “Taps” and the laying of wreaths at the monuments in front of the cemetery’s flagpole. Above, Legion Post 397 Commander Eric Medei welcomes guests to the ceremony.
Legion Chaplain Dave Pearson, left, prays during the service.
Over a hundred people attended Sunday’s Memorial Day service at Union Cemetery in Hellertown. Hosted by the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397, it featured tributes to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman speaks during the Memorial Day service.
American Legion Post 397 Ladies Auxiliary President Connie Quier read the Gettysburg Address, In Flanders Field and America’s Answer at the service.
The Hellertown-Lower Saucon Community Chorus provided patriotic choral music for Sunday’s Memorial Day service.
World War II veteran Al Groegler, of Hellertown, listens as he is recognized during Sunday’s Memorial Day service at Union Cemetery.
At 101, Al Groegler of Hellertown is one of a rapidly shrinking group of World War II veterans who have been referred to as members of “the greatest generation” for their heroism and selflessness during a time of great crisis.
A member of the American Legion Post 397 Ladies Auxiliary walks to a stone war monument in the cemetery, where floral wreaths are laid on special occasions.
