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

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

Commander Kevin Long said that while it’s good to enjoy this weekend with those we hold dear, it’s important to never forget why it is we can.

“We gather this weekend to reflect on why we have our freedom, as well as the unpayable debt paid to preserve our way of life, which we all enjoy,” Long said. “Men and women have answered our nation’s call in times of war, ordinary Americans became extraordinary defenders of our freedom.

“Some gave all their tomorrows for us to enjoy our todays, this selfless act we must never forget.”

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

Sunday

West Group

• 9 a.m.: Service at St. John’s Church Cemetery, Mahoning Township, student speaker will be Natalie Blair.

• 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 UVO Chaplain.

• 10:45: a.m.: Military service at Dinkey Memorial Church Cemetery with wreath laying at crosses, student speaker will be Lorah Thomas.

• 11:30 a.m.: En route to Packerton, Military Honors at West Bowmans Veterans Monument.

• Noon: Service at Packerton Cemetery, Mahoning Township, student speaker will be Elizabeth Troutman.

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

East Group

• 9 a.m.: Military Honors Lehighton UVO at Parryville Cemetery.

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

• 9:30 a.m.: Service at Long Run Cemetery, Franklin Township, student speaker will be Anna Howland.

• 10:30 a.m.: St. Paul’s Church Cemetery (Big Creek), Franklin Township, student speaker will be Rebecca Dishong.

• 11:15 a.m.: Military Honors at Franklin Heights Memorial Park, East Weissport.

• 11:45 a.m.: Service at St. Matthew’s Church Cemetery, North Weissport, prayers, American Legion Post #314 Chaplain, student speaker Adam Sebelin. In the event of rain, the service will be held in St. Matthew’s Church, North Weissport.

Monday

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

Group B

• 9 a.m.: Military Honors, Benjamin Franklin Monument & WWI Veterans Monument, Weissport Park.

• 9:15 a.m.: Union Hill Cemetery, speaker will be U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.) Neil Stubits.

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

Group A

• 8:45 a.m.: World War II Memorial at Lehighton Veterans Memorial Park (bypass).

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

• 9:15 a.m.: St. Luke’s Gnaden Huetten Campus, World War II Veterans Monument.

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

• 9:45 a.m.: Military Honors Vietnam Veterans Monument/PFC Clyde Houser.

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

Group A & B

• 10:30 a.m.: Main Memorial Day Service, speaker will be CPT Jason Hadley, 131st Transportation Co. PAARNG.

• 11:30 a.m.: Procession to Lehighton Cemetery, military honors with flag raising, conclusion of services at post #314.