The price of war and cost of freedom can be measured in human lives, said a man whose family military history goes back decades.

"Over 1.1 million American men and women perished so that we may live in freedom," said Colonel Curtis R. Hafer, U.S. Air Force, at Monday's 150th Tamaqua Area Memorial Day Service held at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Hafer is chief of the Combat Aircraft Division, Directorate of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection at the headquarters for Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, where he lives with his family.

His comments to a crowd of more than 350 highlighted the hour-long service. Hafer said it's not ultimately about numbers, but about precious lives.

"Each person has a unique story that needs to be remembered and passed on to future generations," he urged.

A highlight of the ceremony was the laying of a floral display at the foot of the towering 1870 Soldiers Circle Monument, performed by Mayor Nathan Gerace and Kathy Carpenter. Carpenter is daughter of Tamaqua native and parade grand marshal Kaye Leiby. Leiby, a U. S. Army veteran, took part in both the parade and cemetery services even though recovering from effects of a recent stroke.  

The floral tribute was performed beneath an impressive crossed-sword salute by chevaliers of Allentown Canton #39, Patriarchs Militant, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The ceremony included a balloon release and the playing of selections by the Tamaqua Area High School Raider Band.

Tamaqua High School senior Abbigail Agosti, Tamaqua Business and Professional Women's Club Young Woman of the Year, offered remarks, as did Leah Mateyak, a Tamaqua High School freshman who won the Tamaqua Remembers essay contest. Also on hand was Poppy Queen Emily Beltz.

Invocation was offered by Richard Clemson and master of ceremonies was Eric Zizelmann.

The Tamaqua American Legion, C. H. Berry Post 173 color guard offered a rifle salute.

Also participating were members of Lady Harmony Rebekah Lodge, Tamaqua Remembers committee, and four chevaliers of the Allentown Canton of Patriarchs Militant.

The service was the culmination of a month-long series of events staged by the Tamaqua Remembers Committee, in honor of the town's 150 years of honoring military veterans.

Deceased Tamaqua veterans of 2017-18 include: David L.Angst Sr., Roger Arner, William Arner, John Bianchi, Gregg Boyle Sr., Michael Cully, Lewis Erbe, Donald Evans, Timothy Fabian, John Fedor, William Fredericks Jr., James Hulsman, Dawn Huggins, Jeffery James Jr., David Kropp, John Lazur, Clyde Mase, James McGlinchey, Thomas McGrath Jr., Daniel Miller, Gary Marchalk, John Milot, Michael Phillips, Paul Rice, Carvel Richards, Willett Roode, Michael Savlik, Max Schwartz, Kenneth Schwensfier, Sheldon Shafer, Joseph Shamonsky, Edward Smith, Charles Stancavage, Arthur Tennant, Clement Tracy, Jerome Tracy, James Valentine, George Weave, Joseph Wye and John Yasembousky.

Caption: Col. Curtis Hafer tells a gather of more than 350 at Odd Fellows Cemetery on Monday that it's important for the stories of our war heroes need to be passed down to future generations. DONALD R. SERFASS/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS

Caption: Tamaqua Mayor Nathan Gerace and Kathy Carpenter, daughter of parade grand marshal Kay Leiby, pass beneath a crossed-sword salute provided by chevaliers of Allentown Canton #39, Patriarchs Militant, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, during Monday's community service held in the shadow of the 1870 Soldiers Circle Monument in Tamaqua. DONALD R. SERFASS/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS