Veteran’s organizations, high school and middle school bands, spectators and some of the area’s political leaders gathered for a Memorial Day parade from Liberty HS May 30.

They were all there to commemorate and honor the nation’s veterans, a great number of whom are interred in the cemetery just off Linden St. in Bethlehem. Small commemorative flags marked their grave sites that stretch across a field marked by a democratic mix of ornate headstones, expensive sepulchers and simple granite slabs laid out in the sod.

The parade kicked off at 9 a. m. from in front of the classic façade and grand staircase of Liberty High School. Marching in the parade were several civil, social, and veteran’s organizations to include the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Cub Scouts and the Bethlehem Detachment # 284, Marine Corps League.

A Bethlehem Police motorcycle escort led the parade. The Bethlehem Police Color Guard was the first unit to advance the American flag up Linden St. They were followed by a color guard of the American Legion Post 379 Color Guard.

A Revolutionary War-era costumed man urged the crowd to visit the Liberty Bell Museum in downtown Allentown.

The Allentown Area Corvette Club, and the Nam Knights Chapter of the Lehigh Valley color and noise with their cars and motorcycles.

A more perfect day for the event could not have been asked for. Clear, sunny skies and moderate temperatures joined with a breeze that gently furled and unfurled the many flags carried by participants.

The annual (interrupted for two years by the pandemic) parade was sponsored by the United Veterans of Bethlehem, PA. President Ken Nichol USMC is the President of the organization. Nichol also was the master of ceremonies of the commemorative service following the parade.

The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council was a co-sponsor of the Memorial Day service and was represented by the organization’s president USAF Maj. Gen. Gerald Still.

The City of Bethlehem, Pa. also sponsored the event and was represented by Mayor J. William Reynolds. Also representing the City of Bethlehem were City Council members Rachel Le?n and Michael Col?n.

Northampton Executive Lamont McClure attended the memorial service, as did Pa. Rep. Steve Samuelson representing the State of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly.

Leo Fernandez, George Borman, Glenn Rader and Terry Stocker of the Bethlehem Detachment # 284, Marine Corps League provided a color guard which saluted during the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Several bands, the Bethlehem American Legion Band, the Freedom HS Band, and the Northeast Middle School Band joined together to play “The Star-Spangled Banner” inspired by a poem written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Lehigh Valley Chapter 415 attended the ceremony and march their banner in the parade.

Northeast Middle School students in their green and white uniforms marched with a youthful bounce and brought with them the first music in the parade line.

A contingent of Boy Scouts advance their colors as they followed the middle school.

The red-capped members of the Bethlehem Detachment # 284 Marine Corps League walked the route, frequently stopping to shake hands with veterans who lined the route.

A convoy of Corvettes, their convertible tops down, drew appreciative comments from the crowd.

Behind the sports cars came Freedom High School’s Patriot Band in their black and yellow uniforms and with their drummers beating out a bright cadence as the flutists played a martial air.

Isabella Scheirer from Lehigh Valley Academy recited Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” first delivered on the still-fresh Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg, Pa.

Kai Thomas, also from Lehigh Valley Academy recited World War I veteran John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Field.”

Kaleah Thomas, also of Lehigh Valley Academy, recited “Band of Brothers.”

The three students are National Junior Honor Students representing their school.

Ken Nichol, President of the United Veterans of Bethlehem who was also the master of ceremonies laid a wreath.

The Chaplain of American Legion Post 379, Steve Giada. offered the opening a closing prayer.