Lansford’s Kennedy Park Veterans Memorial was adorned in bunting and flags Monday morning, and a mist hung on the hedges around it.

Members of American Legion Post 123 brought the monument to life for their annual Memorial Day service. Dozens of residents attended the remembrance at Kennedy Park.

Speaker Christine LeClair, a Marian Catholic graduate, an Army veteran and Post 123 member, asked attendees to consider the true meaning of Memorial Day as a time to remember those who died defending our freedom. Too often, she said, people confuse the meaning of Memorial Day with the meaning of Veterans Day. She said that there’s no such thing as a happy Memorial Day for those who have lost a loved one who was defending our country abroad.

“While they may have the best intentions, I can assure you those words aren’t uttered at Arlington National Cemetery, or in the homes of Gold Star Families,” LeClair said.

Vietnam veteran Joey Nichols spoke about Maj. William C. Whitehead Jr., one of the men who the post is named for. Whitehead was a star football player who went on to West Point and was tragically killed in 1968 during the Vietnam War. He also remembered his Marine buddy, Charles David Newman, who was killed while working as a minesweeper in Vietnam. Newman’s mother proudly carried his purple heart with her until she died a few years ago.

Emcee Richard D. Pogwist, the past commander of Post 314, credited volunteers including Tim Midas for preparing the memorial for Monday’s ceremony.

Dave Padora read the honor roll of those veterans who died over the past year. Zach Gilbert performed the national anthem.

Panther Valley students participated in the ceremony, JROTC cadet Charles Byers read Logan’s General Order, and Mackenzie Cloutier read “In Flanders Field.”

Post Commander Nathan Krajcirik asked a Panther Valley student to read the lyrics to Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag,” a song about a town and a flag that may look tattered, but inspires pride because of the meaning behind the wear and tear.

“Cause she’s been through the fire before and I believe she can take a whole lot more,” the lyrics read.

Krajcirik also asked the attendees to keep the focus on those veterans who never made it home, and use Veterans Day to recognize those who came back. This year, Lansford will mark Veterans Day by holding the Carbon County parade.

“We have our own day, but it’s later in the year,” Krajcirik said.