By ANNA GILGOFF

Special to The Press

At 10:30 a.m., a large number of visitors started the drive through at Ontelaunee Park, New Tripoli, determined to participate in the annual Memorial Day event, ignoring threats of rain.

By 11 a.m., the large pavilion was packed with people, ready to pay tribute.

Northwestern Lehigh Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman Donald Christ presided over the hourlong commemoration.

Everyone rose for the flag raising, the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem and bowed their heads at the invocation presented by the Rev. Michelle Funk, pastor of Heidelberg Union Church.

The young voices of the Northwestern Lehigh Middle School chorus, and “Taps,” played by high school student Emmalynn Fink echoed throughout the park.

“We completed this beautiful memorial two years ago and today we come together again,” Christ said, in his opening remarks. “Your presence speaks volumes. We must always and forever thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“It’s only because of them that we enjoy our freedom.”

Col. Willard Dellicker (retired) continued in a similar vein.

“It would be fitting to read the inscription on panel 11,” he said. “We are here to honor those who have laid down their lives for their friends.”

He then introduced two speakers.

The first was his son, Kevin Dellicker of the Pa. National Guard.

“This community has done more than its fair share to protect our country,” he said. “Their sacrifice has not ceased.”

Then he paid homage to Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Van Parys and Army Capt. Mark Resh, silver star recipient awarded posthumously.

Both were Northwestern graduates, and both lost their lives in the Operation Iraqi Freedom conflict.

“Dozens are defending this country right now,” Dellicker said. “My son is serving right now.”

Cadet Nathan Peters was also a guest speaker.

In his very personal speech, he recalled his indifference about history when he was a kid. That changed after watching a movie called “Hacksaw Ridge.”

“I became infatuated with that story and the sacrifice of Desmond Doss, (the main character),” Peters said. “As I grew older, I read the Declaration of Independence, and learned about our history. I knew then why I wanted to join the U.S. Army.”

Rear Admiral David Keller (retired) enjoined all in attendance in a moment of silence for “all those who have served, those brave souls who lost their lives and those Blue Star mothers and fathers.”

He spoke about a “new enhancement” to the memorial, a proposed expansion of the memorial, consisting of a stone wall constructed around the perimeter to accommodate additional names.

“It was a beautiful ceremony, and very, very moving,” said Jamie Zanelli, as she and her husband, Paul, walked through the memorial.

“He’s a veteran of the Persian Gulf War,” she said, pointing to her husband.

Pastor Funk then closed the ceremony.

“We give thanks for all those who gave their lives,” Funk said.

And, with that, the rain started in earnest.