Across the Lehigh Valley and across the country volunteers gathered today to honor our veterans who are laid to rest in our nations cemeteries.
The Resurrection Cemetery at 547 N. Krocks Rd. in Upper Macungie was among those cemeteries that people gathered to honor veterans. At noon a ceremony began with the placing of wreaths representing the separate branches of the armed forces and one for all the service’s POW’s and those who are MIA.
Young adults played a large role in the ceremony as they presented heart felt speeches, read poems, sang patriotic songs, and played “Taps”, all in honor of the veterans we were there to thank.
A Poem for the Brave
By Hope Garavaglia
As the soldiers cross the country,
We know they are going into battle,
We know they are doing good for us,
They risk their lives for our country,
Boom! Crackle!,
The sounds of the guns,
We see true bravery as they march into the sun.
Different races, religions and backgrounds,
They are like a family,
Like sisters and brothers,
All there for the same reason
To fight for freedom and for others.
We shout for our heroes,
We are so proud,
Our voices carry that’s how loud,
Thank you vets then and now
American heroes, take your bow.
Along with the presenters the ceremony also included a color guard from the Knights of Columbus and local Scout groups presenting the flags. Volunteers on hand ranged from, veterans, to a local high school hockey team, scouting organizations and friends and family members of veterans. Many individuals filled the ranks as volunteers spread out across the cemetery.
Volunteers cleared snow covered headstones and read the names of veterans and their families, as they thanked them for their service to our country. With each heartfelt thank you volunteers also laid a wreath at base of the headstone. It was a beautifully reverent afternoon as young and old gathered to say thank you and keep the memories of these veterans alive.
If you would like to learn more about the mission of Wreaths Across America, please visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
