Susquehanna Memorial Day ceremony well attended

BY HELEN B. FOSTER, Correspondent

American Legion Post 86 Commander Peter Janicelli thanked all those who participated in Susquehanna’s Memorial Day parade that included a very large number of American Legion Freedom Riders; Boy Scouts; Susquehanna Fire Department and its Auxiliary; numerous floats and cars with dignitaries.

Not only was the parade participation gratifying but also the large number of people who lined the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge and Main Street to watch the parade.

When the parade reached The Shops parking lot and the Veterans Memorial Board, Janicelli took a minute to introduce local dignitaries that included Mayor Michael Matis and former Mayors Nancy Hurley, John Bronchella and Joe Bucci. Also introduced were Prothonotary Sue Eddleston and Sheriff Lance Benedict and the three speakers, District Attorney Jason Legg, Judge Kenneth Seamans and Superintendent Bronson Stone.

Legg told those attending the men and women who fought and died for our country did so for future generations and there is little that can be done to pay them back.

“We owe them more than this one day a year,” Legg said. “May God bless you and continue to bless America.”

Judge Seamans said that American soldiers have fought and died not only for our freedoms by for freedom around the world. It was noted by Janicelli that Judge Seamans’ son is a cadet at West Point.

Stone told of his conversation with an elementary school student when he asked her what she planned to do for Memorial Day. The young student said she didn’t know what she would be doing but she did know you didn’t get presents like Christmas and Easter and there wouldn’t be a special meal like Thanksgiving.

Stone said he told her that the presents received on Memorial Day aren’t wrapped in paper and covered with bows but are her school, her freedoms and her country she receives from the brave men and women of our Armed Forces and they were the most precious gifts anyone could ever receive, Stone said.

Stone continued by saying, “We need to take a lesson from those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us and this great land. We must realize we cannot stay a united nation if we all have the ‘Burger King Mentality’ of the need to have it our way.” Giving a part of ourselves to bring about a better tomorrow for this country and the children of this country should be on everyone’s ‘to do’ list, Stone said.

“We must hold Memorial Day as our most precious secular holiday as we have a duty to remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before, The Memorial Day message has to be more than just an annual event, it must become a way of life,” Stone said.

He asked that all leave with the idea that it’s never too late to begin paying down our debt to those who knew that nothing is free and that anything of value requires sacrifice.

Susquehanna High School Band provided musical selections and played the National Anthem that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Cub Scout of Pack 81 and Boy Scouts of Troop 81. The opening prayer was by Post 86 Chaplain Stan Lindow.

Pastor John Sandau of the Thompson Baptist Church gave the Benediction with the placing of wreaths by members of Post 86.