The Palmerton United Veterans Organization’s Memorial Day activities will begin with a parade at 10 a.m. at Second Street and Delaware Avenue.

Peyton Mantz, 9, of Girl Scout Troop 3305 of Palmerton, has been named Miss Poppy 2021, and Dillon Uhnak, 12, has been named Palmerton American Legion Mascot.

“I’m very excited,” Peyton said. “My mom told me. I’m honored to be it.”

Dillon was chosen as the 2021 Mascot. His grandfather, Joe Uhnak, is first vice commander of the Palmerton American Legion Post 269, and chaplain of the Palmerton United Veterans Organization.

“I was shocked that I was asked,” Dillon said. “It’s nice to participate, and they see you as the mascot.”

The children will each carry a wreath during the parade; one of which will be placed at the memorial in the borough park, and the other at the memorial near the borough hall on Delaware Avenue.

Peyton and Dillon will be selling poppies after the parade and during the ceremonies following.

Money from the proceeds of the sales will go to the Palmerton American Legion and the Palmerton Veterans of Foreign Wars to be used for scholarships and the upkeep of the Veterans Memorial.

Peyton is the daughter of Sarah and Dave Mantz, while Dillon is the son of Gretchen Hendricks and Brian Uhnak.

As for the parade, the line of march will proceed down Delaware Avenue with stops along the route to place a wreath at the Veterans Memorial, the Revolutionary Soldier at the police station, and at borough hall to place a wreath at that monument.

The parade will proceed to Fifth Street, to Franklin Avenue to Palmerton Borough Park, where services will be held at 11 a.m.

The featured speaker will be Christine LeClair, Carbon County Veterans Affairs director.

Joe Uhnak said the Palmerton UVO was able to obtain a recording of the late Harry Brown reciting the poem “In Flanders Field,” which will be played.

Brown was a UVO member, as well as a member of the American Legion Post 269 of Palmerton for over 50 years.

Additionally, Uhnak said that six quilts will be given out to six veterans from the Palmerton area, and added the names are sewn into the quilts.”

Uhnak said the activities are a way to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

“It’s a day we honor those veterans that have gave their life for their country,” he said.