Memorial Day Service Held in Hellertown

The Hellertown American Legion’s annual Memorial Day service was well-attended Sunday, with Legion Post 397 Commander Eric Medei commenting that the crowd was the largest he has addressed in his nine years leading the post.

Medei told the audience at Union Cemetery that the U.S. is the greatest country on earth because of the sacrifices made by members of its military, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend freedom.

“These heroes laid down their lives…for a cause greater than themselves,” said Mayor David Heintzelman. “We carry forward their legacy…by standing for the values they died defending.”

Heintzelman also thanked the many veterans present for the service, and to the families of the men and women who have died in service to the United States he said, “your loved ones are not forgotten.”

The service also included recitations of the Gettysburg Address, “In Flanders Field” and “America’s Answer” by Paige Medei; music performed by the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Community Chorus; prayers offered by Legion Post 397 chaplain Dave Pearson; the placement of floral wreaths by the members of the Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary on the war memorials next to the flagpole; and a performance of ‘Taps’ following the ceremonial firing of three volleys by the Legion honor guard.

Medei thanked the Legion Auxiliary, the Legion riders and the many other people who attended the service for honoring and remembering the sacrifices that are the reason Memorial Day exists.