Two Memorial Day services were held Sunday in Coaldale, both of them at veterans’ monuments.

The first was held at Memorial Garden, next to the borough hall.

Most of the participants then held a service at the Seek Memorial along Bull Run Street in the Seek section of the borough. Both were held by the Gewher-Shubeck-Martin-Nesterack American Legion Post 170 in Coaldale.

The Memorial Garden has a series of monuments which list the names of borough residents who participated in all wars.

Mike Vigoda, commander of the Coaldale VFW Post, said, “Memorial Day is a day for both grief and celebration.”

Vigoda talked about Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, who was the first American servicewoman killed in the Gulf War. A member of the Hopi Tribe, she was one of only a handful of American Indian women serving in the military.

Vigoda, a Gulf War veteran himself, retired from the Army as a sergeant. He spoke about meeting other local residents while serving in the desert.

He said no matter what branch military members serve, they have the same objective, “the selflessness desire to serve and the willingness to sacrifice.”

Vigoda urged that stories from veterans be shared so that their sacrifices are always remembered.

Three Panther Valley High School students participated in the services: Marielys Berrios, who read the Gettysburg Address; Courtney Rickert, who read Flanders Field, and Kadence Wentz, who presented Logan’s General Order.

Remarks were heard by Joseph Shamonsky, commander of the American Legion and senior vice commander of the VFW.

The invocation and benediction were offered by David Kessler, chaplain of the Legion post.

The Coaldale Fire Department also participated.