The Lehighton United Veterans Organization has announced the schedule for Memorial Day services.

The main service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the upper Lehighton Park Amphitheater.

Commander Kevin Long said the holiday is bittersweet.

“It’s to reflect on all those who gave their life for our country,” Long said. “It’s to reflect on the sacrifices that our servicemen and women made.”

Long noted that last year’s services were scaled down due to COVID-19.

“Last year, we did something because something had to be done,” Long said. “We were restricted last year; it’s good to see things are easing a bit and the virus is getting somewhat under control.”

Long said he’s optimistic people will come out and show their support.

“In the times we are living in, it’s important to give those who died the recognition that they deserve for giving the last full measure so we can enjoy the freedoms that we have,” he said.

Rural services Sunday will begin Sunday. Long said they will visit 15 cemeteries over the weekend, and that they put all new flags on all of them.

“Our brothers and sisters are everywhere,” he said. “The ones that lay under the gravestones are the ones that gave the sacrifice.”

Long added that the UVO needs members, and that there are no dues to join for anyone who is a veteran and is in good standing with any veterans organization.

“We have around 20 that are fairly active,” he said. “We have to get more younger veterans involved.”

Long added, “I’m so proud of the people that we have and come out and participate. We serve all veterans.

“We got a great group of guys, they all help out,” he said. “To be commander of this group, I’m so proud of how everybody gives of their time; it’s just so important, and these guys do feel the importance to come out and do those honors.”

Long said the Lehighton UVO continues to do its part.

“Hopefully we want to keep this on as long as we can,” he said.

Sunday

West Group

• 9 a.m.: Service at St. John’s Church Cemetery, prayers by UVO Chaplain John Stefanik, Mahoning Township; speaker will be Randy Fritz, PA Army National Guard. Singing by St. John’s Church Sunday school.

• 9:45 a.m.: Military honors at Zimmerman’s Cemetery/Mahoning Veterans’ Memorial/Peter Nothstein grave site at Normal Square (en route to Ben Salem Church).

• 10:15 a.m.: Military honors at Ben Salem Church Cemetery, East Penn Township; prayers by UVO Chaplain; wreath laying/flagpole dedication.

• 10:45 a.m.: Military service at Dinkey Memorial Church Cemetery, Ashfield; speaker will be Richard Yturrino, student at Lehighton Area High School. Prayers by UVO chaplain.

• 11:30 a.m.: Military honors at West Bowmans Veterans Monument.

• 11:45 a.m.: Service at Packerton Cemetery; prayers by UVO chaplain; speaker will be Ashley Beers, student at Lehighton Area High School.

• 12:30 p.m.: Military honors at Packerton Veterans’ Memorial at Zion Lutheran Church, Packerton.

East Group

• 9 a.m.: Military honors at Parryville Cemetery.

• 9:15 a.m.: Military honors at Bunker Hill/Jewish Cemetery, East Weissport.

• 9:30 a.m.: Military service at Long Run Cemetery; prayers by American Legion Post #314 Chaplain Carl Haydt; singing by church Sunday school; speaker Roger Pomposello, student at Lehighton Area High School.

• 10:15 a.m.: Service at St. Paul’s Church Big Creek Cemetery Franklin Township; prayers by American Legion post #314 Chaplain Carl Haydt; speaker will be Sara Dishong, student at Lehighton Area High School. In the event of rain, service will be held in Big Creek Church.

• 11 a.m.: Military honors at Franklin Heights Memorial Park.

• 11:15 a.m.: Service at St. Matthew’s Church Cemetery, North Weissport; prayers by Post #314 chaplain; speaker will be Kimberly Lauer, student at Lehighton Area High School.

Monday

Veterans groups will be divided into two sections, with services/honors being held in Weissport and Lehighton simultaneously.

Group A

• 8:40 a.m.: Depart American Legion Post 314.

• 8:45 a.m.: World War II/Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Monument at Lehighton Veterans Memorial Park (bypass).

• 8:55 a.m.: Col. Weiss Monument (lower park).

• 9:15 a.m.: Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital Veterans Monument.

• 9:30 a.m.: SS. Peter & Paul RC Church Cemetery.

• 9:45 a.m.: Vietnam/PFC Clyde Houser Monument at Lehighton Borough Annex Building.

• 10 a.m.: Firemen’s Monument at upper park.

Group B

• 8:40 a.m.: Depart American Legion Post 314.

• 9 a.m.: Benjamin Franklin Monument and WWI Veterans Monument in Weissport Park.

• 9:15 a.m.: Service at Union Hill Cemetery; Ron Rabenold, Lehighton elementary teacher and local historian, will be speaker.

• 10 a.m.: Wreath tossing from Weissport Bridge to honor those veterans buried or lost at sea.

• 10:30 a.m.: Both veterans groups will convene in the upper Lehighton Park Amphitheater for the main service. Kevin “Spike” Long, commander, will be in charge of the service. Col. Timothy A. Brooks, Pa. Army National Guard, Chief of Joint Staff, Joint Operations Center, will be speaker.

After the main service, those who are able will form up on North Third Street, and proceed to Lehighton Cemetery, where military honors will be rendered.

Immediately afterward, the group will proceed to American Legion Post 314 for the flag raising ceremony and conclusion of Memorial Day services/honors.