It was a beautiful day for setting flags on graves at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hanover Township recently. The AmVets Post 59 organized the event.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hanover Township is filled with flags thanks to AmVets Post 59 Hanover Township.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Flags flying in the wind commemorate Veterans who sacrificed it all at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hanover Township, thanks to AmVets Post 59 Hanover Township.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
More than 200 volunteers placed flags on graves at St. Mary’s Cemetery in honor of Memorial Day.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Volunteers distributed flags last week at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hanover Township.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Memorial Day is tomorrow, so volunteers met last week to place flags on veterans’ graves in Hanover Township.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Memorial Day weekend is here.
Even though the weather hasn’t been the most cooperative, there’s still plenty of reason to get in the spirit.
And by spirit, I mean honoring our United States military men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
It’s a federal holiday and sometimes considered the start of summer.
I’ve been loving watching all the recognition for military personnel in the last few weeks.
In particular, the AmVets Post 59 in Hanover Township placed almost 9,000 flags on Veterans’ graves at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hanover Township last week.
More than 200 volunteers participated. Kudos to each person who came out to make the day a success.
I am sure families going in are grateful for the commemoration displayed for their loved ones.
On another recent occasion, Oscar and I stopped in at the American Legion Post 539 in Glen Lyon.
The men and women there were practicing the Color Guard, which was neat to see. Everyone was so welcoming and gracious, and it was an honor to see them practicing the tradition, which they demonstrated at the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Honor Veterans Recognition Lunch at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Plains Township last week as well.
Several local veteran business owners were honored: Jeff Swire (Patriots Cove), Chuck Stoffa (Trail Town Bikes), Jeffrey Bartlo (Guardian Traffic Safety LLC), and Irenee Ibemsi (Ibemsi Group LLC). Congratulations to all!
I love that the Chamber of Commerce runs that event as a gesture of gratitude for local veterans’ contributions and as a way to support them as they enter the business world.
I hope to support Veterans organizations more in the coming months and years.
I’ve seen the need firsthand recently, and going to places like the American Legions reminds me how proud our men and women are of their service.
We owe them a debt of gratitude.
My hope is to attend Ashley’s 144th consecutive Memorial Day parade tomorrow.
I know that’s always a big event in the town, and it’s been years since I last watched.
With Oscar slated to participate, I plan to wear my patriotic colors and show up to support.
Memorial Day is one to remember those who gave it all.
Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.
Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism.
Mike McGinley is a Times Leader columnist who is often called a man about town. Email him your thoughts at mikejmcginley@gmail.com.