The main speech for Memorial Day was delivered by Larry D'Angelo of the Disabled American Veterans.

Several hundred veterans’ graves were marked each with an American Flag and a bouquet of flowers at Lee Memorial Park Monday as a large crowd of people turned out to listen to the names of the veterans who have died in this area over the past year. They stood while the names were being read aloud by Les Waide of Lehigh VFW Post 4174 which was the sponsoring service club that marked Memorial Day activities this year.

A warm wind blew across the shaded areas provided by two covered pavilions. Others sat under a large tree and others were in the hot sun with temperatures in the mid 80s approaching 90 later in the day.

Services began at 10 a.m. with a prayer or invocation read by the Rev. Steven Cecil. A flag raising ceremony was held by the VFW while visitors stood. The flag was then dropperd to half staff in memory of those who have died giving their lives for the freedoms in America. The orders to raise the flag were given by Dan Slazes of American legion Post 323.

Other service organizations in Lehigh each placed a wreath at the Veterans Wall on the east end of Lee Memorial Park Cemetery.

The main speech was given by Larry D’Angelo of the Disabled American Veterans. He was introduced to the crowd by Terry Daughterty, commander of the VFW Post 3174.

Beginning of ceremony

A tribute was paid to the unknowns by the Honor Guard VFW 4174 and a tribute was offered by Dan Slaze of the American Legion 323.

At the end of the 35-minute ceremony, a three-volley salute was presented by the VFW’s Honor Guard and the American Legion Post.

VFW Honor Guard member Bill Bernard played taps to end the ceremony with a “bugler from the beyond” out of sight by Randy Reiss of The American Legion.

A special veterans poem was read during the ceremony by Terry Daugherty and Linda Hall, chaplain of the American Legion 323 American Legion Auxiliary.

The annual ceremony was sponsored this year by the VFW Post 3174 with participating organizations also taking part.

Marilyn Murr Sherlock, right, sang the National Anthem.

They included:

The American Legion Post 323, Auxiliary and SAL, American Post 323 Riders, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 94 and Auxiliary, the BPOE Lodge 2602 and Ladies of the Elks and the Moose Lodge 2266 and Auxiliary.

Following the ceremonies, those who attended were invited to spend time at a couple of the veterans’ organizations for lunch and refreshment.

Wreaths were presented by the different Lehigh service organizatgions at the Veterans Wall at Lee Memorial Park.

A three-volley salute ended the ceremony followed by the playing of Taps.