Multiple local organizations and municipalities have planned a series of events to commemorate Memorial Day throughout the weekend and on the holiday itself.
Howard Area Lions Club Memorial Service
The Howard Area Lions Club will hold its annual Memorial Service on Friday, May 23, at 6 p.m. The service will take place at the Foster Joseph Sayers Memorial site at Sayers Dam. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Beech Creek Wesleyan Church.
American Legion Post 444 (Millheim) Salute of Graves
The American Legion Post 444 will conduct its annual Salute of Graves on Sunday, May 25, visiting multiple cemeteries. Participants will meet at Post 444 at 8 a.m., with the first stop at Livonia Cemetery at 9 a.m. The schedule includes visits to 20 cemeteries throughout the day, concluding at Woodward Cemetery by 2:45 p.m.
On Memorial Day itself, Monday, May 26, the Legion will hold an additional Salute of Graves at Mountain Cemetery, Decker Valley, beginning at 9 a.m.
Post 444 will also host a Salute of Graves event on Sunday, June 1, the first Sunday following Memorial Day, starting at 2 p.m.
Bland J. Rossman VFW Lock Haven Post 1630 Memorial Day Services
The Bland J. Rossman VFW Post 1630 will observe Memorial Day with services at various local cemeteries and memorials on Sunday, May 25. The day will begin at Highland Cemetery’s Soldier’s Circle at 8 a.m., with subsequent stops including St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sunnyside Cemetery, Cedar Hill Cemetery, and others. The final ceremony will take place at the Soldier Monument near the 5-way traffic light at 11:45 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.
Beech Creek American Legion Memorial Day Parade and Services
The annual Memorial Day Parade hosted by the American Legion in Beech Creek will commence at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 26. The parade route starts behind the ball fields in Blanchard, proceeds through the town with stops at local cemeteries, then continues along Route 150 to the American Legion grounds on Wynn Avenue. Parade participants are advised to line up starting at 9 a.m.
Prior to the parade, Beech Creek American Legion Post 623 will conduct firing ceremonies at several locations beginning at 8 a.m., including the Post Memorial, Hayes-Fearon-Bossert Cemetery, Clark Cemetery, and Liberty Baptist Cemetery.
Salladasburg Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
Salladasburg’s Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 26. The parade typically features patriotic floats, antique vehicles, decorated bicycles, horseback riders, scout troops, Little League teams, and military personnel. Participants should assemble on Dochter Street by 10:45 a.m.
The Jersey Shore Area High School marching band will lead the parade, which will also include fire engines from local fire companies.
Following the parade, a ceremony honoring local veterans will be held in the Salladasburg United Methodist Church parking lot. The program includes a performance of the National Anthem by Keith Barrows, a recitation of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address by Dr. Daniel Glunk, a roll call of veterans by Mayor Douglas Ellsworth, followed by TAPS and a 21-gun salute by the Jersey Shore Honor Guard.
Memorial Day Services at Eagle and Schenck’s Cemeteries
Memorial Day services at Eagle Cemetery, located along Old Route 220 near Curtin United Methodist Church in rural Howard, will take place on Monday, May 26, at 1 p.m. Todd McCartney, a Navy veteran and former Nuclear Submarine serviceman, will be the guest speaker.
Schenck’s Cemetery in Howard Township will also hold Memorial Day services on May 26 at 2 p.m., featuring speaker Norman Houser.
Advent Church Memorial Day Program
The Advent Church and Cemetery at 1303 Moose Run Road in Bellefonte will host Memorial Day services at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 26. Following the service, the Advent Historical Society will present the first concert of its summer Music at the Advent series, beginning around 10 a.m.
The concert, titled “Memorial Day Patriotic Hymn Sing,” will include traditional music, patriotic songs, and hymns for audience participation. The museum and gallery will be open, with refreshments provided by community members. The event is free and will be held rain or shine, with the hymn sing expected to conclude near noon.
