A decorated military veteran served as the guest speaker during the Memorial Day service Monday in Kennedy Park, Lansford.

Army 1st Sgt. Greg Wright of Lansford, who was awarded the Bronze Star and many other medals, served in Iraq and many other countries during his near 27-year career. He has been in the active Army, the reserves and the National Guard.

Wright termed Memorial Day weekend an “interesting weekend” because we pay tribute to those who died defending our freedoms, we have parades to honor those veterans and we have picnics, thanks to their sacrifices.

He urged that when observing the weekend, “we need to set five minutes aside and say ‘thanks.’?”

About 100 people gathered for the service in front of the veterans monument in the park. The service was sponsored by Lansford American Legion Post 123.

Wright said, “We all do Memorial Day a little bit different,” noting some families go on short staycations while others have picnics. “We observe, we remember, we reflect and we heal; and we do it subconsciously,” he said.

He said, “There’s red, white and blue everywhere,” an indication that everybody reflects differently.

“We bring ourselves together” often with a family picnic, and we heal.

“Memorial Day is a multitude of feelings,” Wright said.

“Just take five minutes and say thank you,” he said, “because you know what? The cost is high.”

Wright thanked people for coming to the ceremony. “It’s the most important thing,” he said.

Richard Pogwist, past Legion commander, cautioned, “Don’t wish veterans a happy Memorial Day. It’s not meant to be a happy day.”

He said it’s OK to enjoy yourself today, thanks to the sacrifices of the veterans, but the purpose is not a happy day.

Pogwist, in relaying the sacrifices of our veterans, recalled the deaths of 13 Americans by a terrorist attack in Kabul last August. He said of those Marines, “They represent the best of a generation.”

He said we remember veterans who died “so we can cherish what we love - God, country and family.”

They died to keep Americans safe from terrorists.

“We must share their legacies and tell the stories of those no longer here,” he said.

Legion member David Padora read the list of the 13 veterans from Lansford who have died in the past year:

Adolph Paul Bomba, Richard E. Forgay Sr., Ernest Kerestes, Richard Marcinko, James McArdle, Corey Sheridan, William C. “Billy” Sittler, Andrew Snoha, Paul P. Staruch, Joseph C. Sroka, Stephen J. Vilck, John R. “Jack” Yalch and Paul V. Zuzo.

Three Panther Valley High School students participated in the program.

River Knoblauch read Logan’s General Order.

Mikayla Yuricheck presented “In Flanders Field.”

Natalia Westwood gave Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

A salute to the dead was given by the American Legion rifle squad, with Allison Garcia as the bugler.

Remarks were also given by Nathan Krajcirik, commander of the Legion Post.

Angela Nardini sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Deacon Joseph Cannon of St. Joseph’s Church of the Panther Valley gave the invocation and benediction.