Monday turned out to be the perfect day for remembrance as members of the Nesquehoning VFW Post 8008, Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion; family members and friends gathered to honor their fallen brethren during a Memorial Day parade and service in Nesquehoning.

The event kicked off with a parade from the west end of town to the VFW Post 8008 home.It started promptly at 8:30 a.m. from the recreation center, making two stops along the way at the veterans monuments at the intersection of routes 209 and 54; and St. Patrick's Cemetery on Catawissa Street. At both locations, a brief ceremony was held.The parade then weaved its way down Catawissa Street to its final destination.As everyone gathered at the VFW, Donato DeMarco welcomed the crowd.Poppy King Jacob Ellis and Poppy Queen Cienna Padora led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation by Ted Dacy, chaplain of the Nesquehoning UVO.A welcome address was then given by Richard Ellis, commander of the VFW.Dennis Ockenhouse, a Vietnam veteran and main speaker of the event, reminded everyone what Memorial Day truly stands for a day to remember those who have given their lives to this country."I volunteered to be sent to Vietnam," he said."War is something that no one should have to see. It's not at all like the wars I saw in the movies growing up. It was real and it was deadly."Many young soldiers died there and never had a chance to come home," he continued."They never had the chance to live the life they fought for and they never again saw their families or their loved ones. They never had the chance to marry, raise families of their own or fulfill the dreams of the future."But why did they do this?" Ockenhouse said. "They did it to protect the American freedoms we enjoy and if not for their service and sacrifice over the years we would not be here today assembled freely and openly to honor our dead."He urged everyone to remember those who gave their lives for this country and honor them.His sentiments were echoed in the remarks made by Mayor Samuel Kitchko, Edward Coll, commander of American Legion Post 172, Christa Kattner, and the roll call of the 47 veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day.In addition, Anthony Yerger, Colin Johnson and Alissa Cruz, Panther Valley students, read Logan's General Orders, the Gettysburg Address and the poem "In Flanders Field."Following the speakers and guests, the Nesquehoning UVO Honor Guard saluted the deceased while its color guard, as well as the Panther Valley JROTC cadets posted colors while taps was played from the top of the cemetery, overlooking the VFW.The day concluded with a benediction by Dacey, as well as brief remarks by Ellis.