The tears of the world threatened to fall on Jim Thorpe early Friday morning during the annual Carbon County Memorial Day service; setting the tone for the somber ceremony.

Held in Josiah White Park in the center of downtown Jim Thorpe, members of the county, as well as area veterans and residents gathered under cloudy skies to remember those men and women who gave their life for this country.

“We come out on Memorial Day to remember those who have fallen in service to their country,” Christine LeClair, director of Carbon County Veterans Affairs, said. “Many of them still have family alive and it’s really important to them that we keep their memory alive.”

Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek, the main speaker for the event, said that while many celebrate picnics and the unofficial start to summer on Memorial Day, the day is about those who gave us our freedom and died for their country.

“As we gather here today, remember how much was sacrificed,” he said. “Much was given so that we can enjoy Memorial Day and every day in freedom.”

Greek spoke about his grandfather, a World War II veteran and prisoner of war; and his father, a Korean War veteran; and how watching them as he grew up affected his life and led him to also join the military in the United States Army.

He reflected on the words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur - duty, honor, country.

“Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be and what you will be,” Greek said. “They are your rallying point. … I take these words as a code to live by because I believe that all soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who came before us embrace that code in the face of danger and death and allow them to rise above their fears, stand strong in the face of battle and be willing to make the noblest of sacrifices, that of their lives.”

Brad Hurley of state Sen. John Yudichak’s office, state Rep. Doyle Heffley, and Tom Gerhard of Congressman Dan Meuser’s office, as well as Carbon County Commissioner Chris Lukasevich also addressed the audience.

Taps was then played by Bill Diehm, while the invocation and benediction were performed by Gil Henry.

Hurley summed up the weekend, urging all Americans to visit a cemetery, attend a memorial service and pay respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.